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Post being replied to

The pretense is gone, and with it ... by CJC

my hope and anything beyond a modicum of emotional investment.

In the post-Holtz odyssey through the desert, we've always been able to rationalize the current status quo.

The coach hasn't been there long enough, he needs to get his guys in or his system in or ride out this terrible bout of injuries or bad luck.

It's all been bullshit, and most of us figured out pretty early on that neither Davie nor Willingham nor Weis nor Kelly would be able to live up to the legacy of Rockne, Leahy, Parseghian, Holtz or even Devine.

But until recently, Notre Dame's powers-that-be could always pretend that we were serious about finding that next great coach and that greatness was as "simple" as finding that guy.

We might have to wait another year or two in order to give the current incumbent a fair chance, or to find somebody to underwrite his buyout, or whatever, but that's absolutely the plan ... we promise!

But no longer.

It's not a matter of understanding that after eight-plus seasons, Brian Kelly isn't going to miraculously transform from an overmatched commuter-school head coach into a true Notre Dame head coach. That's beyond question.

But by doing absolutely nothing after eight-plus seasons of on-field incompetence and off-field embarrassments, Notre Dame's leadership has made it abundantly clear that it no longer feels the need to pretend.

The ultimate, "Get used to it."

Which, of course, is "press conference" for "FUCK YOU!"