Kyle Hamilton apology made Brian Kelly feel good as the head coach

After losing 51% of its total production following the 2020 season, Notre Dame had questions about who might step up to fill the leadership void on the 2021 squad. 

Following a 41-38 overtime win against Florida State on Sunday, head coach Brian Kelly said he is still working out the leadership kinks on his team after just one game.

“I think in the moment, it’s evolving,” Kelly told the media on Monday. “You’re kind of looking at it and getting a sense for who’s taking leadership during the game, because there’s one thing about being a leader in the locker room or on the practice field, and then when it’s competition. 

“There’s evaluation as it’s happening. After the game, then you see leaders and how they’re interacting with players. So we’re still in that process of evaluation on how we continue to help our leaders lead.”

One of Kelly’s captains, Hamilton, made a clear leadership push on Sunday. Hamilton recorded two interceptions and six tackles against the Seminoles. It was the first time he has had multiple interceptions in a game.

The junior was one of six Power Five players to record two interceptions this weekend, and one of two players to do so against Power Five competition; Iowa’s Riley Moss picked off Indiana’s Michael Penix twice.

However, the second interception was tarnished when Hamilton removed his helmet on the sideline just after the play, earning an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Kelly touted Hamilton’s behavior following the play as an example of leadership. 

“Kyle Hamilton took his helmet off and got us a 15-yard penalty,” Kelly said. “He’s the first guy that comes up to me and apologized and said, ‘That’s not what a captain does at Notre Dame.’”

“That’s accountability. That’s responsibility,” Kelly added. “That’s what you want to hear from a kid who got caught up in a moment. That makes you feel good as a coach, that you have those kind of leaders that understand that and take full accountability and responsibility, and that’s why he’s respected. I saw some good signs and we’ll keep building it from that perspective.”

Notre Dame has seven captains for the 2021 season: wide receiver Avery Davis, safety Kyle Hamilton, nose guard Kurt Hinish, center Jarrett Patterson, defensive tackle Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, linebacker Drew White and running back Kyren Williams. All seven players are first-time captains.