I've never ever believed that ND would join a conference.
BUT, when another school can lure your HC away, you know you're no longer top dog. I presume Kelly is leaving for more $. I had been surprised to learn that ND's contract with NBC is not that lucrative. Does this tip some alums to be in favor of a conference?
Probably not. But gonna be a lot of soul searching in So Bend in the weeks ahead.
No. Conference affiliation had nothing to do with it, money did. LSU is going to pay Kelly nearly $15 million a year.
Being in a conference did not save Oklahoma from having its head coach poached as well, did it?
Everyone associated with ND knows about the NBC contract (to be renewed in 2025) and has for quite some time.
The NBC deal is more about exposure as an independent than the money. It just has to be enough money, ND is less dependent on TV money than most schools. Donor money dwarfs that at ND. The big donors often threaten to withhold money if ND drops independence.
ND was paying Kelly $7 million a year on a contract just extended and was to run for three more years.
Kelly had been flirting with other jobs since 2012. ND wasn't going to double his pay after just negotiating/extending his contract.