Column: Let ND's Kelly decide his fate with opportunity at hand

First and foremost, there’s no price — or punishment for that matter — that can equate to the untimely and accidental loss of a human life.

With that said, I’ll get right to the point: Neither Brian Kelly nor Notre Dame Athletics Director Jack Swarbrick should be fired after the tragic accident that took the life of team videographer Declan Sullivan two weeks ago. The 20-year-old Sullivan fell to his death while filming practice on a video lift at the team’s outdoor practice field.

Should the decision to practice outside in the midst of fatal winds have been made? Absolutely not. Were Kelly and other members of the Notre Dame staff negligent? Without question. The university and football program alike should be held accountable in some way for the decision-making that led to this event.

“All we can do in these very difficult times is what we did, and that’s support Declan and his family, rally like we did here at Notre Dame to provide for all those affected with this great loss the opportunity to heal,” Kelly said after the Tulsa game.

Losing football games is a reason to fire someone. At first glance, it would seem like if that’s a reason, endangerment that led to a death would be as well.

It goes without saying that this tragedy goes beyond winning and losing a football game. Kelly and those involved in the decision have to live with this the rest of their lives, and I have a hard time believing that isn’t enough of a punishment and burden in itself. Kelly resigning on his own would be perfectly understandable.

As it relates to football and on a lesser note, the Irish aren’t going to a BCS bowl game — and it’s looking like they probably won’t qualify for the Mike’s Auto Care Bowl in Antarctica.

But one question remains to be answered — one that could give a clear sign as to whether or not Brian Kelly is the guy to get the program back on track.

Beating Army at Yankee Stadium and stealing one from either Utah or USC would make the Irish’s year, although boosters and fans wouldn’t see it that way since no crystal ball is involved.

When Kelly was hired last December, he spoke of building a program centered around mental toughness. He spoke of an environment that would have no problem motivating star players to hold up and desire to be a part of the tradition of Notre Dame.

A 4-5 start isn’t what Kelly or his players had in mind. If there were a prime situation for mental toughness to come into play, this is it.

Here is the chance for Kelly to show that his program is heading in the right direction. It’s three chances for the Golden Domers to reach six wins and bowl eligibility, but it’s also three chances to show their fan base and potential recruits that there has been progress.

“It is definitely not a time to say we just lost two in a row,” Kelly said in his Tulsa postgame news conference. “It’s the same thing we have done the past few seasons — just go ahead finish the season. We are still determined to make a bowl, and that is what we are going to do.”

Progress. That’s the bottom line for this Notre Dame team given the status quo. It was the bottom line that determined and ultimately ended the tenures of Tyrone Willingham and Charlie Weis.

Starting 10-3 or 9-3 as Willingham and Weis did, respectively, only adds to the pressure of the job. If I were Kelly, I would almost be glad there was no BCS bowl in year one.

Kelly talked about player development and fielding a team that plays hard for four quarters every week during the fall.

During these last few weeks, the Irish have plenty to get up for — the dimming chances of a bowl game on the Michiana horizon, the promise of a coach and most importantly, a fallen friend.