Notre Dame's Brian Kelly Upfront About Academic Expectations

Alize Jones is the latest casualty of Notre Dame’s rigorous academic requirements, but coach Brian Kelly was upfront in his analysis of the situation.

The seventh-year coach was asked last week if there’s a solution to the string of academic suspensions in recent years.

“If you're not prepared and if you're not going to come here with the focus and attention to work in the classroom, you could get dinged,” Kelly said during a press conference to begin preseason practice. “And I'm not afraid to say that to anybody or any mom or dad when I go into the home; and you'd better be prepared to work hard in the classroom.”

Jones — a skilled tight end who was projected to be a key member of the Irish offense this year — will sit out the season. He will stay in school and practice with the team, Kelly said. Jones can return to play in 2017 with three years of eligibility remaining.

The most recent academic suspension went to cornerback KeiVarae Russell, who missed the 2014 season ultimately returned in 2015. Receiver DaVaris Daniels and linebacker Kendall Moore were also penalized for academics, and defensive lineman Ishaq Williams missed two seasons and had his Irish career ended by an NCAA probe.

The late running back Greg Bryant was ruled academically ineligible in 2014, as was quarterback Everett Golson in 2013.

Kelly brought up the fact that losing players to academics is not a problem hurting only Notre Dame. He mentioned that his players are going up against “Army academic All-Americans and Under Armour academic All-Americans” in the classroom.

“Look, Notre Dame is and will all be a high academic environment, and you've got to come to play every day,” Kelly said. “If you don't, you're going to find yourself on the sideline, and this is a case and it's a reminder to all of our players."

Jones announced the news that he’d miss the season on Twitter.

"Notre Dame is a special place and playing football for the Irish is a privilege," Jones wrote on Twitter. "With this opportunity comes academic responsibility, and unfortunately, I didn't meet that responsibility. I love Notre Dame and everything about it. Obvious, I'm disappointed at myself, but I'm going to make the best of the situation. I'm going to remain a student at Notre Dame and work even harder. I'm going to grow from this. I'm going to be a better student, teammate, player and man. While I won't be able to help my brothers on Saturdays, I'll do whatever I can to help this team achieve its goal of winning a national championship."

Kelly responded with a brief statement himself, and expanded on those thoughts at the press conference two days later.

“I think first of all, I'm proud of Alize and him taking full accountability,” Kelly said. “That's what we ask our players to do. They are accountable for their actions both in the classroom, on the football field, and in the community. We would want all of our players to be accountable in everything that they do.

“So I'm pleased with him, in the sense that he's understanding what he needs to do. He understands his shortcomings and what he's got to work on. He's a young man that is maturing and growing, and you know, he's got a bright future. He's just not going to play football for us this year, but he'll be involved in the program. He'll practice and continue to develop.

“Like I said, I think he took the first step in the right direction of moving past this by being accountable for his actions.”

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