Michael Floyd was suspended indefinitely by head coach Brian Kelly after his arrest on suspicion of drunk driving just days before spring practice. After Friday’s practice, Kelly said a ruling on Floyd’s status could be coming within the next week or so.
“What I heard was that he would be meeting with Residential Life this week and that some kind of decision relative to that meeting would be very soon after,” Kelly said. “They have not told me directly nor have I called to ask. I’m getting my information second-hand, but I know that Michael is scheduled to meet with him and they have informed him a decision would be made quickly.”
Kelly said he always looks to turn unfortunate incidents into learning lessons.
“I’m a teacher and an educator, so from my perspective, I’m always thinking about educational opportunities,” he said. “I always think in those terms. My first reaction is always about how can we learn, but that’s me. I’m not in that other office.”
Bill Kirk was replaced by Father Thomas Doyle as the associate Vice President for Residential Life last fall and there does seem to be a change in the role of the football coach in disciplinary hearings.
“More than anytime since I’ve been here, there’s great communication between ResLife and myself,” Kelly said. “I’m not saying I’ve got a hot line that I can call Father Doyle and make suggestions. That’s not what I’m saying, but there are open lines of communication and there’s, I think, a healthy relationship. That’s how I would put it.
“Whatever decisions are made, those are made by the University, but I don’t feel like there’s a barrier between what goes on a day-to-day campus with our student athletes and Residential Life.”
Floyd has taken steps to prove he understands the gravity of the situation he’s placed himself in, according to the coach.
“He’s already taken definitive action,” Kelly said. “I’m not going to get into his personal life, but I think you can read between the lines. He’s already reached out to make that happen in a very positive way. He understands that he needs to be educated and he’s started that process.”
