Three-Point Stance: Why P.J. Fleck could succeed at Notre Dame

Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell’s thought-provoking Three-Point Stance is here with thoughts on Brian Kelly’s future at Notre Dame, a Heisman contender getting snubbed again and some major award omissions.

MORE FARRELL: On the mess at Texas | SEC analysis, best coaching jobs

One of the main reasons that Texas is expected to part ways with Charlie Strong, in addition to his historical losing record and poor coaching in Austin, is because there is a hot candidate up the road that someone else might snap up if the Longhorns don’t act fast.

We, of course, know that is Tom Herman, the head coach of Houston.

But what about Notre Dame? Brian Kelly has obviously won much more than Strong. But between his sideline antics, his refusal to take responsibility for his own coaching mistakes, penchant for throwing his players under the bus and now the academic scandal under his watch that is leading to vacated wins, the Irish might think long and hard about that big buyout, because there is a Midwestern version of Herman who could get snapped up.

I’m talking, of course, about Western Michigan head coach P.J. Fleck, who is a young ball of energy and an injection of enthusiasm sorely needed in South Bend. What Fleck has done at WMU has been nothing short of astonishing - his offensive mindset and work with quarterbacks has been amazing, and he’s from Illinois and knows the area very well.

Having had a cup of coffee in the NFL as a player and coach, working under Jim Tressel, Jerry Kill and Greg Schiano, and being known as a tireless recruiter, he is well-rounded as a candidate despite his youth. Notre Dame might want to take a chance on a potential rising star.

Perhaps the job would be over his head. Perhaps Fleck would struggle with the academic restrictions and politics at Notre Dame.

Or, just maybe, Fleck would be the next Urban Meyer and change the game. It’s a huge risk, but the way the Irish are headed now with a 4-7 record and a likely loss coming this weekend at USC, why not?

This thought came into my head back after the losses to N.C. State and Stanford when Kelly stubbornly aired it out in a monsoon only to bench his star quarterback the next week in a key situation against Stanford. It once again popped into my noggin after the Navy loss.

Now, with the academic scandal for which Kelly has been quoted saying he has “zero” culpability, as reported by the South Bend Tribune, even though it happened on his watch, my fingers forced me to begin typing.

Kelly has gone to a national title game and a New Year’s Six bowl, but he is also 37-26 and counting in the five other seasons. Perhaps Notre Dame feels it can avoid the massive buyout and get a much bigger-name coach if things go sour with Kelly next season, but the Irish might regret passing on Fleck if he’s gone.

Last week in Rival Views I picked D’Onta Foreman as the No. 2 choice for the Heisman behind sure-fire winner Lamar Jackson, and I have seen him listed on some Heisman lists despite the Longhorns' losing record.

But there is another running back who isn’t getting the attention he deserves – for the second year in a row. Last year Dalvin Cook, arguably the most important player to one team in college football, wasn’t invited to New York as the Heisman geniuses decided that only Derrick Henry, Deshaun Watson and Christian McCaffrey need attend. This was after Cook rushed for 1,691 yards, averaged 7.4 yards per carry, scored 19 touchdowns, and caught 24 passes for 244 yards and another score.

This year Cook has been better. Heading into the season finale against Florida, he has rushed for 1,467 yards and 17 scores, and caught 27 passes for 400 yards and another TD. He passed Warrick Dunn as the all-time leading rusher at FSU and tied Greg Allen for rushing touchdowns, a record he will also break. And he’s done it in three seasons.

Yet Watson and his 13 interceptions are still on every Heisman list. Donnel Pumphrey at San Diego State, who runs over teams like New Hampshire, San Jose State, Hawaii and Utah State, makes some lists. Freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts at Alabama gets more consideration despite the defense carrying the day in Tuscaloosa.

If Cook doesn’t get invited to New York again this year, and it’s likely he won’t, it will be criminal. Foreman has been amazing for a Texas team with a weak defense, but Cook has been right there with him.

Try figuring out the selection process for the year-end college football awards.

Please tell me how Ole Miss tight end Evan Engram and his 65 catches for 926 yards and eight touchdowns didn’t make the list of Mackey Award finalists over O.J. Howard, Jordan Leggett or Jake Butt (Howard should be dropped).

How on earth does Vols DE Derek Barnett not make the Bednarik Award list over Myles Garrett or Jabrill Peppers, and how does Auburn DT Montravious Adams not make the Outland finalist list over Cam Robinson, who has been very up and down this season, or Cody O’Connell, who works out of a system where he has to hold blocks for just a second?

Thankfully Dalvin Cook made the Doak Walker list, but some of this is clearly just hype and determined before the season. I honestly feel that the selection folks look at preseason All-American lists, some NFL Draft lists and maybe watch some highlights on ESPN when making selections.

By the way, if you’re interested, of the 26 different players I counted making up the major awards finalists, the star rankings broke down like this:

Five-stars – 10 (Adoree Jackson', Jonathan Allen, Myles Garrett, Tre'Davious White, Deshaun Watson, Reuben Foster, Jabrill Peppers, Dalvin Cook, Cam Robinson, O.J. Howard)

Four-stars – 6 (Lamar Jackson, Jourdan Lewis, Zach Cunningham, Kendell Beckwith, Dede Westbrook, Jake Butt)

Three-stars – 6 (Baker Mayfield, Jarrad Davis, Donnel Pumphrey, Jordan Leggett, Cody O'Connell, Pat Elflein)

Two-stars – 3 (Josey Jewell, Isaiah Jones, D'Onta Foreman)

Not Ranked – 1 (Austin Carr)