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Things Could Be Worse

BuffNut99

Club Member
Club Member
We could be Notre Dame and (on field results aside) our new coach hire could be looking at being criminally negligent:


One of the saddest weeks in Notre Dame history may just be the beginning of a fateful period of death, admissions, lawsuits and, possibly, firings.
Notre Dame's 28-27 home loss to Tulsa on Saturday was one of its most embarrassing setbacks in modern memory, but it pales in comparison with coach Brian Kelly's comments after the game.
In the wake of student videographer Declan Sullivan's death Wednesday, Kelly pretty much admitted it was his fault.
"Whether it's a tornado warning the day before or it's a lightning storm that's in the area or the heat index is at a certain number and certainly wind," Kelly said after the game in which the loss seemed secondary, "all of those elements have to be evaluated in making the decision, which I made the decision that I felt it was productive and safe."
Sullivan died when 51-mph winds blew down the scissor-type video crane from where he was shooting practice. Minutes before his death, he expressed his nervousness on his Facebook page and Twitter account.
"We have systems in place that deal with issues of safety," Kelly said. "Clearly, in this instance, they failed."
Clearly, Notre Dame is liable for a multitude of lawsuits. And Kelly's comment about what happened after the crane fell won't help: "I gathered the coaches quickly, two of them, and said, 'Keep practicing.' "
At the time, he didn't know Sullivan's condition, but that likely won't matter much in court. Nor will it matter to Notre Dame's administration when it evaluates Kelly when this mess finally ends.
 
Well, you know how Notre Dame fans like to say, "Notre Dame football isn't a matter of life and death: It's much more important than that"? Maybe they should stop now.
 
It is a sad story. I feel for the family. Although I detest ND and in particular their FB team, I have some sympathy for the PR skewering they are about to get. BK will be the sacrifical lamb....he's also about the right size for it too..
 
BK will be the sacrificial lamb....he's also about the right size for it too..
Is it possible that BK gets fired in the offseason? I wonder what his contract says about behavior like this. How are they letting him even speak publicly about it, expect to express his condolences?
 
Is it possible that BK gets fired in the offseason? I wonder what his contract says about behavior like this. How are they letting him even speak publicly about it, expect to express his condolences?

My guess is it depends on how bad it gets. If the family of the deceased student goes on the warpath, BK could be canned. I would be surprised if his contract had a "What happens if you kill a student employee clause..." but I am sure that BK's actions that brought the University in on the downside of wrongful death litigation probably fits in some legal pigeonhole constituting firing for cause.

If the family and the University reach some quick, quiet, confidential settlement, maybe BK still gets to be the leprechaun.
 
I can't stand ND, but this is just horrible. And having the HC say anything other than condolences and expressing sadness is a good way to make this spiral into a nightmare.

Lefty has it nailed though, a lot will depend on this kid's family and how they proceed.
 
Putting myself in the shoes of the parents, the last couple tweets from the kid would be enough for me to sue the living pants of that university.
 
I expect a settlement will come quickly. No matter how much it is, it will be less than the PR drubbing ND would take over the course of litigation.

I feel for this kid and his family. Easily could have been me in college. At the same time, football was probably all-consuming for Kelly that day and, had he actually thought about the circumstances, things may have been much different. He is ultimately at fault, but it's just a rough situation.
 
I agree. It's hard to put too much blame on Kelly, as I'm sure that was the very last thing on his mind at the time. Still, it happened on his watch.
 
It sounds like that settlement may have already taken place, or is at least in the works:

The parents of Declan Sullivan, the 20-year-old Notre Dame student who was killed Wednesday while filming the Notre Dame Football practice, issued this statement to the public Saturday.

This week our family lost Declan Drumm Sullivan in a tragic accident on the University of Notre Dame campus in South Bend, IN. Declan loved Notre Dame. He felt privileged to have a role with the football program videotaping games and practices. The grief we feel is tempered by the knowledge that Dec was doing what he loved in the place he most wanted to be.

We are grateful for the consideration shown to us by the Notre Dame administration and everyone associated with the University. The love for Declan from the Notre Dame community evident at the Mass of Remembrance has helped us cope with our grief. It is our hope those grieving with us find the support they need to get through this difficult time. We are drawing support from family and friends. The family appreciates your respect for our privacy as we come to terms with our loss.
http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20101031/News01/101039939/0/NotreDame
 
I would be surprised if his contract had a "What happens if you kill a student employee clause..."
It is truly regrettable that tragedies like this happen, and I in no way am making light of it, but this line from Lefty just cracked me up!! :rolling_eyes:
 
I admire him for what sounds to me like he is publicly taking the blame for it too. What a terrible situation to be in. I'm not sure that ND will fire him for it but at the same time the question remains as to wether he can bounce back from this and put it behind him.

Thoughts and prayers for the family in their loss.
 
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