Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly lashes out at USA Today writer over disrespecting Ian Book
Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly has his quarterbacks back.
Brian Kelly was heated after Notre Dame beat North Carolina on Friday to improve to 9-0. He had seen and read enough of the disrespect directed at his senior quarterback Ian Book who won his 29th game as the starter to tie the all-time program record.
Speaking with the media after the game, Kelly brought up an article from USA Today that didn’t list Book among the top 10 quarterbacks in college football. That drew Kelly’s ire who had the back of his quarterback and suggested the writer find a new topic to write about.
Ian Book motivated by disrespect from USA Today
“I read an article in USA Today from some guy that really shouldn’t be writing articles about football,” Kelly said. “He should probably be doing something else. They listed the top 10 quarterbacks in college football; they didn’t even list Ian. So, he’s got a little fuel. He’s got a little chip on his shoulder as well. He won the matchup tonight.”
Book played well as he set the program record for most passes without an interception and is now one win away from becoming the winningest quarterback in Notre Dame football history. He admitted he let it motivate him after Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees brought it up.
“I actually talked about it with Coach Rees,” Book said. “Just let it fuel the fire. Chip on my shoulder; had a chip on my shoulder in high school in the recruiting process. Got a chip on my shoulder here.
“Look, I don’t know who’s writing those. Have they played football or not? Not sure. There’s a ton of articles out there that say a lot of bad things about Notre Dame. But, again, it doesn’t really matter who’s ranking at the end of the day. I’m having fun out here playing college football. It’s a dream come true; I feel fortunate to be here.”
Book may not get the attention that other quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Kyle Trask and Mac Jones receive, but he’s on the cusp of making a second appearance in the College Football Playoff in three years and his name is written all over the Notre Dame record books. That’s not too shabby.
“We’re 9-0. So, I’ve got nothing for whoever wrote that,” Book said. “But, it’s motivating. Shoot, I think I’m top-10 and want to be; want to compete every day to be like that. So, at the end of the day, it’s just fuel to the fire.”
Maybe Notre Dame should request USA Today write another article disrespecting Book ahead of the ACC Championship Game and any future playoff games to keep that fire burning hot.
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