Brian Kelly wants to “fix” things at Notre Dame. He is a repairman, and not a lonely one like the Maytag Repairman with nothing to do.

His first step toward fixing the Irish is to discover and inspire mental toughness (commitment). How bad do the Notre Dame players want to win? Are they tough enough-both physically and mentally? Are they prepared enough-both physically and mentally?

He plans to do this by running “Camp Kelly“. Because waking up at 4 a.m. every day to torture worse than Count Rugen’s “Machine” is a sure way to measure who is ready to go the distance. From Rugen: “I’ve just sucked one year of your life away. I might one day go as high as five, but I really don’t know what that would do to you.” From Kelly: I’m going to run the losing out of you (until you puke numerous times)”.

South Bend Tribune’s Account:

And the first detail is toughness. Kelly’s polished exterior almost belies his. Camp Kelly will likely unmask it, though, and reveal whether his new players have it. The boot camp — Kelly wouldn’t reveal its starting date or length — has nothing to do with rhetoric and even less to do with X’s and O’s. “I can tell you this, it has absolutely no football applicability relative to skill development,” Kelly said. “So you go into it knowing you’re not going to leave here a better receiver, but you’re going to leave here a more-committed wide receiver.” “Gauge, gauge, gauge the commitment level,” Kelly said. “I need to find out how important it is for you to be a football player at Notre Dame.

Remember, “adversity reveals character”. These kids need to be put to the test to develop the mental toughness required to win.

And if they aren’t ready?

Brian Kelly could always make them do this.