Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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54 SEPT. 24, 2022 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED "Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who aren't motivated." — Lou Holtz T hroughout the week of preparation for the game at No. 3 Georgia, 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 ten- dency 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 opposi- tion, and an 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 ridiculed the notion that any- thing has changed despite a laudable 22-4 record in 2017-18, including an appearance 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 mo- tivate the troops into a frenzy. How- ever, when asked two days before 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 win- ning 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 because it really doesn't help me in my focus and my preparation for what I need to do in covering the things that are nec- essary 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 in- dividual, 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 something that is out there, where we are a two- point or 10-point or 15-point favorite 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 believe at some point that every coach, including Kelly, uses the "dis- respect" card as a means to inspire. I absolutely believe emotion is a vital component, particularly in the col- lege 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 quarterback Joe Montana, defensive linemen Ross Browner and Bob Golic, cornerback Luther Bradley and tight end Ken Ma- cAfee were on your side. I recall in 2007 Michigan running back Mike Hart guaranteeing a win over Notre Dame. People sent clippings of that guarantee or even called me to say to "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 Championship, 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 serving as a huge inspiration to excel — and Meyer and Co. provided their own fire. 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 sub- scriber 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 com- pletely buy into whatever strategy you want them to execute. You do that by earning their trust with proven results that it works. If they completely be- lieve that you are working to help them get to their top level of performance and if they follow you, they will have tremendous individual and collective success, you will have a highly moti- vated and confident group that will be able to withstand setbacks and excel." "You know what charisma is?" former 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. ✦ Former Notre Dame head coach Knute Rockne was famous for his fire and brimstone motiva- tional speeches. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS BEST OF THE FIFTH QUARTER ✦ LOU SOMOGYI ✦ SEPT. 30, 2019 Inspiration Is A Product Of Talent And Track Record EDITOR'S NOTE: The late, great Lou Somogyi possessed an unmatched knowledge of Notre Dame football, and it was his mission in life to share it with others. Those of us at Blue & Gold Illustrated would like to continue to provide his wisdom and unique perspective from his more than 37 years covering the Fighting Irish for this publication.