Notre Dame Football: Brian Kelly Will Regret Not Naming Starting QB in Summer

In the midst of yet another starting quarterback controversy at Notre Dame, the promotion of leadership within the team may have been thrown by the wayside.

Head coach Brian Kelly has been charged with choosing one of three available quarterbacks to lead the Irish against the Navy Midshipmen on Sept. 1 in Dublin, Ireland. However, Kelly has donned a mean poker face when questioned about his choice for starting quarterback.

And that's Kelly's most critical mistake.

On an annual basis in college football, the nation's premier teams are guided by a strong leader at the quarterback position. Last season's BCS National Champion, Alabama, was led by quarterback A.J. McCarron, whose job was never in question.

That certainty within the Crimson Tide program allowed for the team to enjoy fluidity and continuity throughout fall camp and the vaunted SEC slate.

The same story pertains to the 2010 BCS National Championship winning Auburn Tigers, who had the luxury of a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback at the helm in Cam Newton.

Neither Alabama nor Auburn dealt with issues or controversy at the quarterback position. Both Newton and McCarron became the natural leaders of their respective teams. Brian Kelly and the Fighting Irish would be wise to learn from those two examples.

Working in Notre Dame's favor is the amount of talent available at quarterback, as Andrew Hendrix, Everett Golson and Gunner Kiel were each highly regarded prospects coming out of high school.

Whomever is named starting quarterback must gel with the first team offense to promote continuity and familiarity, which will be virtually impossible should Kelly choose to play musical chairs with his quarterbacks.

The starter must also be afforded ample time to evolve into the leader of the offense, particularly because of the difficulty of the schedule. The Irish will play Oklahoma, USC and Michigan State on the road, while Stanford and Michigan will take on Kelly's squad in South Bend.

The effects of Kelly not naming a starter this summer are long term, as well.

If Kelly chooses to play two quarterbacks consistently, a third consecutive training camp will feature a quarterback controversy. And if that potential situation becomes a reality, Kelly's credibility as a terrific offensive mind and head coach will fly out of the window.

Kelly desperately needs either Everett Golson, Andrew Hendrix or Gunner Kiel to separate from the pack and become the leader the Irish program needs.

Remember, wins arrive in bunches with strong leadership, while losses come in droves without it.

I'm looking at you, Brian Kelly.