Notre Dame has made it a habit of scheduling games against former assistant coaches who take on head coaching duties elsewhere, most-recently demonstrated in 2017 with a 52-17 victory over Miami (OH) and Chuck Martin, once Brian Kelly’s right-hand man and offensive coordinator.
In a twist on that, Thursday evening the Irish announced a 2021 contest against Cincinnati, Kelly’s last stop before taking over the Notre Dame head coaching duties after the 2009 regular season, one the Bearcats finished undefeated.
The Irish also announced the 2021 season opener will be akin to this year’s, on Labor Day at an ACC opponent, with Florida State standing in for this year’s Louisville.