For the second time in his career, University of Notre Dame Head Football Coach Brian Kelly ’83 was named the Associated Press College Football Coach of the Year following a season in which he led his nationally ranked team to a perfect 12-0 season. The AP shared that Kelly is one of the only three coaches to earn this designation twice, one that he also earned in 2012 following another undefeated season.
The perfect record propelled Notre Dame to its first appearance in the new College Football Playoffs. In his nine seasons with Notre Dame, Kelly has amassed an 81-34 record; he appeared in the BCS Championship game in 2012 and in the 2018 BCS semifinals, losing to eventual National Champion Clemson in the Cotton Bowl.
According to the AP, its college football poll voters gave Kelly 16 of 58 first-place votes for a total of 81 points. Alabama’s Nick Saban finished second in voting, and Central Florida’s Josh Heupel finished third.
In December, Kelly was also named the Home Depot Coach of the Year – the only coach to earn the recognition three times. He was also awarded the Dodd Trophy, which, according to the AP, honors “scholarship, leadership, integrity, and success on the field” and is given to the nation’s top football coach.
