Dec. 31--To err is human, but Brian Kelly's kickoff to his Thursday meeting with the press was divine.
The Notre Dame coach flubbed the start of his Wednesday press conference at the Fiesta Bowl by thanking title sponsor "Bullfrog," despite "Battlefrog" logos at his eyes' every turn, including the microphone into which he was talking.
Kelly kicked off Thursday's brief gathering with a crooked grin and an emphatical correction.
"It's been a great week, but I want to begin by first thanking the title sponsor, Battlefrog," Kelly said.
Kelly's No. 8 Irish (10-2) will face Urban Meyer's No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1) at noon Friday at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Finally.
"Our kids certainly enjoyed (the week)," Kelly said. "It's time for us to play football."
Meyer also shared some sorrow when he announced, not surprisingly, that junior defensive end Joey Bosa would declare for the NFL draft, joining running back Ezekiel Elliott and quarterback Cardale Jones, who announced his intentions Wednesday.
"I take my hat off to them because I know what's out there," Meyer said. "I know the pressures."
Both coaches again were asked about the temptations of going to the NFL themselves. Both sat silent for a few moments, with Meyer pointing at Kelly, urging him to respond.
Both said they are so busy coaching their teams that there's not much time to think about making the leap themselves.
Kelly, who interviewed with the Eagles in early 2013, said Wednesday he's not necessarily interested in the NFL, unless he had full control of the operation, calling himself the owner and general manager of Notre Dame's program.
"There's not a magical day where we wander around thinking about the NFL," Kelly said.
"I can just push Coach Kelly, same exact quote or reflection," Meyer said. "I've never spent much time thinking about it."
pskrbina@tribpub.com
