Brian Kelly: Kiss Me, I'm the Irish Savior

I'll be the first to admit that I thought Charlie Weis was going to come in and change the atmosphere in South Bend.

However, there's something different that I see when I look at Brian Kelly.

For one, he's actually been a head coach before, not just an offensive coordinator with the best quarterback in the NFL.

But I'm not going to sit here and trash Weis anymore, I've done that enough.

Here's why I think Brian Kelly can step in and turn the Notre Dame program around:

For one, he already has a team that he can win with. Sure, Weis did too, and he won. But Weis brought in two straight number one recruiting classes who will be juniors and seniors this season.

Like Brady Quinn for Weis, Dayne Crist is a junior with experience studying under Jimmy Clausen.

The only problem I have with that is the new offensive system Kelly is bringing in.

However, Kelly has said that Crist is picking up on his offense fast.

2. Kelly comes in with stars such as Armando Allen and Michael Floyd on offense.

Before the injury last season, Floyd was on pace to have a fantastic season as a wide out for the Blue and Gold alongside Golden Tate. And, while Tate may be gone, this gives Floyd a chance to step in and be the number one guy.

Floyd, an early Heisman-watch candidate, will have to step in and have a big impact to help out Crist in his first season as starter.

Also, on the ground, Armando Allen is coming off of a season in which he averaged 4.9 YPC.

However, this new system is a great fit for a guy like him with great speed. Look for him to be included in the passing game a lot more than he was last season.

3. Kelly has won everywhere that he's been.

In his first head coaching job at Grand Valley State, he finished with 188 wins as opposed to just 35 losses, along with winning two straight Division II Championships before leaving for Central Michigan.

Then, while at Central Michigan, he finished his three year tenure by winning the Motor City Bowl and winning the MAC Conference.

Finally, he packed his bags and sent off for Cincinnati, where he had great success.

In all four seasons there, he reached a bowl game, including finishing in the Top 25 in three of his four years. Two of the year ending games were losses in BCS Bowls, however he did not coach in last season's Sugar Bowl because he had already accepted the Notre Dame job.

It's obvious that Notre Dame needed a head coach that will come in and return Notre Dame back to the national powerhouse that they haven't been since Lou Holtz left. And, while he might not be able to do that, it looks as if Brian Kelly can lead the Irish to success in his tenure.

At least Notre Dame fans sure hope I'm right.