Brian Kelly: 'We need to do better' helping players with academics

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said earlier in the week that he's learned a lesson from the academic fraud scandal that resulted in five football players' suspensions last year.

From ND Insider:

“I think we recognized that all of my football players are at-risk — all of them — really. Honestly, I don’t know that any of our players would get into the school by themselves right now with the academic standards the way they are. Maybe one or two of our players that are on scholarship.

“So making sure that with the rigors that we put them in — playing on the road, playing night games, getting home at 4 o’clock in the morning, all of the demands that we place on them relative to the academics and going into an incredibly competitive academic classroom every day — we recognize this is a different group.

“And we have to provide all the resources necessary for them to succeed and don’t force them into finding shortcuts.

“I think we’ve clearly identified that we need to do better, and we’re not afraid to look at any shortcomings that we do have and fix them, and provide the resources necessary for our guys. Our university has looked at that, and we’re prepared to make sure that happens for our guys.”

WR DaVaris Daniels, S Eilar Hardy, DE Ishaq Williams, CB KeiVarae Russell and LB Kendall Moore were suspended in August after Yahoo Sports reported players were investigated for academic fraud when there was evidence papers were written and homework had been done by others.

After the news of the investigation broke, the school said there was no evidence Kelly knew anything about the fraud. Russell is back with the team in 2015 while Williams is enrolled at the school. Daniels entered the NFL draft and Hardy transferred to Bowling Green.

Kelly's comments are refreshing, simply because they admit the reality that many athletes face in college. And they aren't Notre Dame specific either. While the school has higher academic standards for admission than others, the balance between sports and classes is daunting. Multiple schools are being investigated for academic fraud and many athletes have broad majors. Schools want to keep players eligible to stay on the field. 

But will his comments help lead to change not only at Notre Dame but within the college athletics structure? No, not by themselves. However, if other coaches and officials follow Kelly's lead and are willing to discuss the shortcomings of helping athletes succeed in the classroom, it could. With cost of attendance stipends helping reshape college athletics, it's a great time for the support systems at other schools to be examined too.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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