[Farm93]

As to administration antipathy towards him it's hard to imagine that being an issue as long as he kept winning 10-11 games each year.

Really? Trust me, even at Stanford there is significant (though not overwhelming) antipathy to sports in general and to football in particular. Lots of people just don't believe athletics belongs at a University. Add to that the cost of sports and the (perceived at least) inordinate power of the Athletic Department its is a big issue to many people. It is in the mix at many schools, Kal being an example where it has significant effect. Probably it is a very, very small minority at LSU. Notre Dame has always existed in tension between what the administration wants to be true and what it takes to win. To what degree that bothered Kelly is anybody's guess, but it for sure exists.

I get your point in the abstract, but don't you think Kelly has won an awful lot at ND?  All that's missing from his resume is a Natty, but only 1 of those go out/year.  I think his level of winning was easily "sufficient" for the ND Faithful.  So I'm not sure where the tension would be in the real here and now between Kelly and ND.  Have you heard that Kelly asked that a player or 2 or 3 be admitted and was told "no" by the ND higher-ups?  

Could be true, I suppose . . .

All that is missing is a "natty"?!!??!!

There are two problems with that observation.
1 - For Notre Dame and its network of followers 12 years without a national title is far too long.
2 - Ironically most ESPN types believe Kelly realized that the admission limitations at Notre Dame made it too difficult to win a "natty" while at Notre Dame.

Though, his departure is a great reminder for everyone on this board.
 
There will always be some other place that will offer a head coach more money than whatever Stanford alums think is a lot of money.  And, assuming the coach can get the recruits for their system, it will be easier (possible) to win a natty at several other schools.  Successful coaches want to win, so they will leave ASAP.  (see Walsh I, Green & Harbaugh)

[Farm93]

As to administration antipathy towards him it's hard to imagine that being an issue as long as he kept winning 10-11 games each year.

Really? Trust me, even at Stanford there is significant (though not overwhelming) antipathy to sports in general and to football in particular. Lots of people just don't believe athletics belongs at a University. Add to that the cost of sports and the (perceived at least) inordinate power of the Athletic Department its is a big issue to many people. It is in the mix at many schools, Kal being an example where it has significant effect. Probably it is a very, very small minority at LSU. Notre Dame has always existed in tension between what the administration wants to be true and what it takes to win. To what degree that bothered Kelly is anybody's guess, but it for sure exists.

I get your point in the abstract, but don't you think Kelly has won an awful lot at ND?  All that's missing from his resume is a Natty, but only 1 of those go out/year.  I think his level of winning was easily "sufficient" for the ND Faithful.  So I'm not sure where the tension would be in the real here and now between Kelly and ND.  Have you heard that Kelly asked that a player or 2 or 3 be admitted and was told "no" by the ND higher-ups?  

Could be true, I suppose . . .

All that is missing is a "natty"?!!??!!

There are two problems with that observation.
1 - For Notre Dame and its network of followers 12 years without a national title is far too long.
2 - Ironically most ESPN types believe Kelly realized that the admission limitations at Notre Dame made it too difficult to win a "natty" while at Notre Dame.

Though, his departure is a great reminder for everyone on this board.
 
There will always be some other place that will offer a head coach more money than whatever Stanford alums think is a lot of money.  And, assuming the coach can get the recruits for their system, it will be easier (possible) to win a natty at several other schools.  Successful coaches want to win, so they will leave ASAP.  (see Walsh I, Green & Harbaugh)