Golden is his Name&Fame!

Big CONGRATULATIONS to Irish superstar receiver Golden Tate for winning the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top wide receiver! After a season of impossible catches, unbelievable touches and breathtaking plays, we knew that Golden was 24k on the field. Thankfully, the greater sports world has shown their appreciation as well.

AND Tennessee-native Tate was named to the Walter Camp All-American Team, an honor that the Irish last saw in 2002 with standout cornerback Shane Walton. Golden is ND's first offensive player to receive Walter Camp first-team honors since offensive tackle Mike Rosenthal in 1998, and the first wide receiver since since Raghib Ismail in 1990.

If you just can't get enough of the wow wideout, posted below is a highlight video of some of his most impressive plays!



Thank you, Mr. Tate for adding your Golden touch to an otherwise...rough football season. Go get 'em in the big leagues!

[via nbcsports.com]

It's Official...Kelly's Our Coach

The University made an official announcement Thursday night that our new head football coach will indeed be Brian Kelly. Congratulations to Coach Kelly, and welcome to the Irish family!

Highlights from the University's press release:
Kelly’s head coaching resume includes:

• Three seasons at Cincinnati from 2007-09, including a 34-6 record (.850) and two straight outright BIG EAST Conference title teams that earned BCS appearances in 2008 (Orange Bowl) and ’09 (Sugar Bowl).
• Three seasons at Central Michigan University from 2004-06, including a 19-16 overall record (.542) that featured a 9-4 mark and Mid-American Conference title in 2006.
• Thirteen seasons at Grand Valley State University from 1991-2003, including a 118-35-2 record (.767) that was highlighted by NCAA Division II national championships in 2002 (14-0) and 2003 (14-1).
• An overall record of 171-57-2 (.747) in those 19 seasons as a head coach

Kelly earned the Home Depot National Coach of the Year Award in 2009, was the BIG EAST Conference Coach of the Year in 2007, 2008 and 2009 (the first time a BIG EAST football coach has won the award three straight years) -- and was the American Football Coaches Association Division II Coach of the Year in both 2002 and 2003. Kelly currently ranks ninth among active FBS head coaches in victories with 171. He is the winningest active BIG EAST football coach and the only league coach with more than 150 wins.



His 2009 Cincinnati team won all 12 of its regular-season games, led the nation in passing efficiency (166.19), ranked second in kickoff returns (29.2 each) and sixth in total offense (464.25 yards per game), passing yardage (320.33) and scoring (39.83 points). Meanwhile, Kelly’s Bearcat defense rated third nationally in tackles for losses (8.42 per game) and eighth in sacks (2.92).

For anyone who missed AD Jack Swarbrick and Kelly's press conference from Friday afternoon, click here.

Onward to victory, Coach Kelly! (pleasepleaseplease)

*image via new york daily news*

ND Football Rundown

What a few weeks we've had, Domers! Charlie's out, Jimmy and Golden say onward to NFL, and now Kelly's in...almost definitely maybe.

Whooo- what a whirlwind of football feelings!

According to the center headline on ESPN.com, the "Irish call[ed] and Kelly answer[ed]." No definitive word has been sent from the University or Kelly, but the worldwideweb is absolutely electric with the news that the Bearcat Coach will be the future HeadIrish. The Twitterverse has Notre Dame and Brian Kelly as two of its top ten trending topics, so a big P-SHAW to whoever called ND Football irrelevant to the college football conversation!

With an apparent call for a non-casual Friday, the Athletic Department could make the official announcement tomorrow according to the NYTimes. Other sources hint that the Bearcats' last-minute decision for a media ban at tonight's football banquet indicates that Kelly will be announcing his departure to his players tonight.

We're waiting for the official ND word before we send congratulations to Kelly, but NDFootball-way to keep Our Lady in the (media) game!

All right, BA_ND, load up the comment box with your thoughts/opinions on our beloved alma mater's latest football fun!

*image via thedailygohper.com*