Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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54 SEPT. 30, 2019 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED "Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who aren't motivated." — Lou Holtz T hroughout the week of prepara- tion for the game at No. 3 Geor- gia, one of the most prevalent themes was No. 7-ranked Notre Dame entering the game as a two- touchdown underdog. Based on their history in the 21st century, the Fighting Irish have been denigrated as a paper tiger with a tendency to fold on grand stages. Among the many data recited was an 0-10 ledger since October 2005 — and 1-17 since 2000 — versus top- five opposition, and a 0-6 mark since 2000 in major bowl/playoff settings, with an average margin of defeat of 24 points. Media such as ESPN's Paul Fine- baum (see "They Said It" on page 13) ridiculed the notion that anything has changed despite a laudable 22-4 record in 2017-18, including an ap- pearance in the four-team College Football Playoff last season. To many a Notre Dame follower, this was viewed once again as "won- derful bulletin board material" to motivate the troops into a frenzy. However, when asked two days be- fore the Georgia game on his radio show about how he addresses this with his team, head coach Brian Kelly maintained more of a CEO approach. "We don't," he responded. "If it had anything to do in my 29 years of winning or losing, I would address it the first time that I get in front of them. It really just doesn't. If you have to rely on extrinsic motivation to get your football team ready to play a game, then you're in trouble. I really leave that up to whatever they want to do. "If they want to look at it and if it helps them, fine. But as a head coach, I stay away from all those things be- cause it really doesn't help me in my focus and my preparation for what I need to do in covering the things that are necessary for them to be successful. "The external motivation stuff has never been really one that has been effective for me. It could be for an individual, and if he chooses to use it for himself and feels that can help him, that's fine. Whatever gets him in that emotional state that helps him, I'm fine with that. "But very rarely do I use some- thing that is out there, where we are a two-point or 10-point or 15-point fa- vorite or underdog. … I just haven't seen it in my career that that is a way to get your football team ready." These comments likely were not received well among the wake-up- the-echoes-shake-down-the-thun- der crowd who believe that Knute Rockne-like pep talks provide a needed boost or a crucial intangible in performance. I'm certain that at some point every coach, including Kelly, uses the "dis- respect" card as a means to inspire. And I absolutely believe emotion is a vital component, particularly in the college game. Green jerseys in 1977 versus USC was one of the great triggers in the program's history — but it sure helps when people such as quarter- back Joe Montana, defensive end Ross Browner, linebacker Bob Golic, cornerback Luther Bradley and tight end Ken MacAfee were on your side. I recall in 2007 Michigan running back Mike Hart guaranteeing a win over Notre Dame. People sent clip- pings of that guarantee or even called me to say, "please show this to the Notre Dame team. That will get them fired up!" My reply was, "Sir, things like this don't matter when you're this bad." Indeed, Michigan was up 31-0 by halftime and called off the dogs in the second half of a 38-0 win over an Irish outfit that started 1-9. Where it can help most is when a genuinely strong team feels slighted and simmers internally. In the 2007 BCS National Championship Game, Ohio State was a huge favorite over Urban Meyer's Florida unit, but the Gators romped to a 41-14 win. One of Meyer's first comments was thanking the media for doubting his team so much because it made prepa- ration and focus so easy while serv- ing as a huge inspiration to excel — and Meyer and Co. provided their own fire as well. There is a time and place for the fire and brimstone, but you also better have a track record of success. The best summary I can give came from a subscriber on BlueandGold.com who goes by the handle Wayles16. He wrote: "The best way to motivate a team to win at anything is to get them to completely buy into whatever strat- egy you want them to execute. You do that by earning their trust with proven results that it works. If they completely believe that you are working to help them get to their top level of performance, and if they fol- low you they will have tremendous individual and collective success, you will have a highly motivated and confident group that will be able to withstand setbacks and excel." "You know what charisma is?" for- mer Notre Dame head coach Dan Devine commented after stunning No. 5 USC in the famous 1977 Green Jersey Game. "Charisma is winning." It is ever thus. ✦ Inspiration Also Needs Talent And Track Record THE FIFTH QUARTER LOU SOMOGYI Senior Editor Lou Somogyi has been at Blue & Gold Illustrated since July 1985. He can be reached at lsomogyi@blueandgold.com Former Notre Dame head coach Knute Rockne was famous for his fire and brimstone motiva- tional speeches. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS