Notre Dame Football prepares for upcoming season

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Spring practice began on Thursday as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football Team prepare for another run at reaching the College Football Playoff.

The Irish are coming off an eleven win season and a victory in the World Camping Bowl back in late December.

Brian Kelly will be entering the year in his 11th season as head coach of the Fighting Irish, and he made several changes to his staff during the offseason, including his promotion of Tommy Rees to offensive coordinator.

ABC57 got a chance to speak to Brian Kelly about these changes and his expectations for the upcoming season.

"You can't just be the offensive coordinator and the quarterback coach,” Kelly said. “You've got to have great relationships with the offensive linemen, the offensive line coach, the running backs, the running backs coach, all of that and he commands the room. He has really good interpersonal skills. He has a good sense and awareness and he's going to do a great job at the position he's been hired for."

The Irish will not hit the practice field again until Saint Patrick’s Day, and the annual Blue-Gold is scheduled for April 18.