Brian Kelly names Notre Dame starting quarterback

Jack Coan will be the starting quarterback for Notre Dame, head coach Brian Kelly tweeted out today. 

Jack Coan will be our starting QB.

All three quarterbacks distinguished themselves in the spring and preseason camp. Clearly, each has the skills necessary to lead, but Jack proved to be more consistent and therefore, going into our opener, gives us the best chance for success.

— Brian Kelly (@CoachBrianKelly) August 14, 2021

Coan joined the Irish as a graduate transfer from Wisconsin. Amidst the rumors, Kelly is locking his decision in for the Irish’s week one game against Florida State.

While playing at Wisconsin, Coan was 12-6 in 18 starts. The quarterback did not play last season due to a foot injury, but he saw success as the full-time starter in 2019. 

That year, Coan led the Big Ten with a 69.9 completion percentage. He also threw for 2,727 yards, 22 total touchdowns and five interceptions. Coan led Wisconsin to the Rose Bowl.

Earlier this summer, Kelly spoke on Coan’s experience being a valuable asset for the Irish.

“We didn’t take him because he didn’t play before,” Kelly said. “We took him because he had battle-tested experience in the Big Ten in a very good program, and quite frankly one that we respect in Wisconsin and what they do. A lot of that had to do with where he came from and him being battle tested.”

Fastforward, Coan will now look to bring the Irish back to the College Football Playoff. It’s a tall task asking him to replace Ian Book, but the former Wisconsin quarterback’s experience and abilities make him capable.

“That’s why I think Jack Coan could have a massive impact on the college football year.”

On Big Noon Kickoff, Joel Klatt gave his take on Coan’s chances at Notre Dame, saying he’s a great fit for the program.

“He’s going to a program that is in the middle of one of the best runs in their history,” Klatt said of Coan. “We have seen Notre Dame now win double digit games in three straight seasons for the first time in their history. That’s a big history, a long and storied history. They’ve got to continue that success, they are a playoff-caliber team. Now Jack Coan comes in, and he just got beat out (at Wisconsin) because he got injured. He’s not having to find a new home because of poor play. He led the Big Ten in efficiency and completion percentage in his last year as a full starter.

“I think if he brings that level of play to Notre Dame, they have proven, not only with the development of the offensive line for the better part of the last decade, that if they get quality quarterback play and that person doesn’t turn the football over, that they are a team that can compete at the highest levels in college football and potentially make a playoff run. That’s why I think Jack Coan could have a massive impact on the college football year.”

Evidently, Kelly agrees with Klatt in his assessment. Jack Coan is officially the starting quarterback of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

On3’s Jonathon Wagner contributed to this article.

Image courtesy of Alika Jenner / Getty Images