Notre Dame Coach Brian Kelly named AP Coach of the Year Notre Dame Fighting Irish by Staff - December 18, 2018March 18, 20200 By Brian Cranfill Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly has been named the Associated Press Coach of the year for the second time. After garnering 16 first place votes with a total point total of 81, Coach Kelly beat out Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban. Fighting Irish fans hope this feat can happen once again if the two teams are able to win their bowl games and meet for the National championship.