Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly sends message in disciplining key players

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:47 p.m. ET

Bruce Feldman

It's become pretty easy to be cynical when it comes to college football programs "disciplining" players who get in trouble these days. Because of the 24-hour news cycle and social media we hear about more players getting in trouble than ever before. The headlines blow up and then the disciplining follows later. Or maybe it doesn't and we just hear about how things will be handled internally.

Over the weekend, Notre Dame made the kind of news that a college football program never wants to be in the headlines for. Six players were arrested in two separate incidents that involved, among other things, marijuana possession, possession of gun without a license and battery on a law enforcement officer. Cornerback Devin Butler was arrested for the later with starting safety Max Redfield, wide receiver Kevin Stepherson Jr., running back Dexter Williams, cornerback Ashton White and linebacker Te'Von Coney involved in the former incident.

On Sunday, ND coach Brian Kelly--two weeks before the Irish visit Texas for their opener-- reacted swiftly, dismissing Redfield, the biggest name of those in trouble, and putting Butler on indefinite suspension.

"During the past 24 hours, I have met with each of the members of our team involved in the two incidents that occurred over the weekend, reviewed the evidence available to me, and consulted with others involved in the leadership of our team and the University," Kelly said in a statement. "That process has only served to deepen my disappointment in the poor decisions made by these young men. Their conduct fell far short of what we expect from those who represent our football team and this great university.

"On the basis of my review, I have decided to dismiss Max Redfield from our football team and place Devin Butler on indefinite suspension. The other individuals, while not being separated from the team, will be subject to disciplinary measures internal to the football program. In making this announcement it is important to stress that all of the players involved in these two incidents remain subject to justice system and University discipline, and those processes could yet impact their standing with the University and the team. At Notre Dame, where we place so much importance on the integration of students who are athletes into the broader university, the primary responsibility for discipline lies, as it should, with the University's Office of Community Standards. But even within that system, there are times when a player's conduct so clearly fails to meet the standards I have set for our football team that it is appropriate to take action independent of any decision that might be made by the Office of Community Standards. This is such an instance. The expectations we set for the members of our team are high, but they are especially so for the upperclassmen who are expected to provide leadership and a positive example to the other members of the team. Max and, at least at this stage in the review of his case, Devin, have failed in that regard and so have lost the privilege of continuing to be part of our team."

This is just the latest example of ND showing it's not scared to send a message if a player does the wrong thing. In this case it was Kelly who, word is, after he'd warned his guys coming out of training camp, 'Don't screw up. Don't be that guy. And they still got into hot water, he canned Redfield who plays a key position that now has four true freshmen, two players trying to make it back from serious injuries and a 5-8 sophomore. Redfield, though, did have some issues in the past. He started 11 games last year and was third on the team with 64 tackles but was suspended for the Fiesta Bowl last winter for a violation of team policy.

We've also seen ND take swift action dismissing players who run afoul of the university's academic integrity, where the athletic director or the coach have no purview. On the eve of the 2014 season, five players were prohibited from playing that season because of an academic fraud investigation. One year earlier, it was starting QB Everett Golson who was booted after he got caught cheating on a test. Those players were just dealt with. Coaches have no influence on the process. It was just handled by the university, and that was that.

It's easy to be cynical when it comes to discipline & CFB these days, but #NotreDame has shown repeatedly it doesn't give it lip service.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) August 21, 2016