“I will be on the outside looking in as it relates to this ongoing process,” Kelly said.

Speaking publicly for the first time since news broke Friday that DaVaris Daniels, KeiVarae Russell, Ishaq Williams and Kendall Moore would be withheld from practicing with the Fighting Irish because of potential academic misconduct, Kelly acknowledged the personnel hits his program has taken in recent years because of the school’s academic demands, while also saying that he took the Notre Dame job five years ago because he wanted to be associated at a place with such high standards.

“I knew coming to Notre Dame, and one of the reasons why I wanted to come here, was there are some core values as one of the preeminent Catholic institutions that you just can’t compromise on, and that’s integrity,” Kelly said. “And if you see that something is going on that’s not right — and obviously through this investigation they found this out — it’s important that it’s addressed. And so I applaud the university for doing that.

“Now, along the way, I’ve lost a starting quarterback and some key players. But I came here because I wanted to be associated with a university that had those standards. And I’m disappointed, I’m saddened in a way for these young men, because they’re good kids. They made some bad decisions along the way — and I’m not throwing these four in that category yet, obviously. But we can talk about Everett [Golson], certainly, in that situation.

“As it relates to the recruitment of the young men here, I think we’ve brought in the right young men. I think we continue to have to do a better job educating them. We have to do a better job of providing them the resources. Look, this is never a one-sided issue. We have to internally look at providing our student-athletes all of the resources necessary that if, in fact, they took shortcuts, that they don’t. And we have to look hard at that. And that’s something that will ensue over this issue.”

Friday’s news was the latest academic-related hit Notre Dame’s prominent athletic teams have taken in the last 15 months, as the school suspended Golson, the football team’s starting quarterback, last fall semester following what Golson called “poor academic judgment” the previous spring. Golson was reinstated last winter.

Daniels, Notre Dame’s top wide receiver, and Jerian Grant, the basketball team’s leading scorer, were in similar situations as Golson, being suspended for the spring semester this year before being reinstated in June. (Daniels had cited poor grades for his suspension, while Grant cited poor judgment.)

Now Daniels is among a group of football players — including three starters — that is being investigated internally for academic misconduct.

Kelly said he has not talked to the four players being investigated, clarifying that they cannot practice or play with the team but are welcome in the football building for meals and other activities. He said he will withhold them from team and position meetings for now, and he said that he has not been told of any other players on his current team who are being investigated.

Kelly said that he has not been interviewed or investigated himself.

Daniels, Russell, Williams and Moore were a part of Notre Dame’s 2012 team that went 12-1 and lost in the BCS national championship game to Alabama. The Rev. John Jenkins, the school’s president, said Friday that the school would vacate victories if it determines players have been ineligible during past competition.

Kelly said a potential vacating of the Irish’s 2012 wins would not alter his view of that season’s accomplishments.

“It wouldn’t change in my eyes,” the fifth-year Notre Dame coach said. “I’ve never really counted my victories, it’s not something that I’ve really spent much time thinking about. The satisfaction that I get is in the preparation and the relationships that I have with the players and the accomplishments that you have from year to year with your team and how you play the game. So I never really put much stock in that.”

Kelly was also asked if he felt the perception of him has taken a hit, this after his first year at Notre Dame was headlined by off-the-field tragedies that included a student videographer dying at practice and a student at nearby Saint Mary’s College committing suicide two weeks after she reported she had been sexually assaulted by a Notre Dame football player.

“This isn’t the time to have a debate on what my leadership or lack thereof is,” Kelly said. “My focus is on my football team and getting this team ready. There’s a time and place for that. People have their opinions, and certainly they’re entitled to them. I’m going to focus on this football team.”

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The source said there is “still some work to do” on Kelly’s potential new deal with the Irish.

Kelly met with the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday, and there was mutual interest after the interview.

“This week, I had an incredible opportunity to speak with one of the premier organizations in sports about becoming their head coach,” Kelly said in a statement released through the school.

“Like every kid who has ever put on a pair of football cleats, I have had thoughts about being a part of the NFL. However, after much reflection and conversation with those closest to me, I have decided to remain at Notre Dame.

“This decision was motivated purely by my love for Notre Dame and the entire Fighting Irish community, the young men I have the great fortune to coach, and my desire to continue to build the best football program in the country.

“We still have a lot of work to do and my staff and I are excited about the challenges ahead.”

Kelly coached the Fighting Irish to a 12-0 regular-season record and an appearance in the Discover BCS National Championship. Playing for its first national title since 1988, Notre Dame was routed by Alabama, 42-14, on Monday night.

A source told ESPN that the Eagles informed Notre Dame prior to the game of their desire to interview Kelly after it.

“There is no question we spent a considerable amount of time and effort looking at who we thought were the best collegiate candidates for our head coaching job,” the Eagles said in a statement Saturday. “We did so knowing that there was a remote chance that these coaches would leave their current posts. We understood that going into the process, but we wanted to leave no stone unturned while trying to find the best head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. We have no regrets about the effort we made in that direction and we will continue to proceed as planned in our search.”

CBSSports.com reported Wednesday the Chicago Bears also were interested in Kelly. But sources refuted that report to ESPNChicago.com.

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said in a statement that he wasn’t surprised by Kelly’s decision.

“I was always confident that Brian would continue to lead our football program. I am very happy to have that confirmed and share Brian’s excitement about what lies ahead for our program,” he said.

Swarbrick said he appreciated the Eagles and Kelly keeping him informed of what was going on throughout the process.

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The source said there is “still some work to do” on Kelly’s potential new deal with the Irish.

Kelly met with the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday, and there was mutual interest after the interview, according to league sources.

“This week, I had an incredible opportunity to speak with one of the premier organizations in sports about becoming their head coach,” Kelly said in a statement released through the school.

“Like every kid who has ever put on a pair of football cleats, I have had thoughts about being a part of the NFL. However, after much reflection and conversation with those closest to me, I have decided to remain at Notre Dame.

“This decision was motivated purely by my love for Notre Dame and the entire Fighting Irish community, the young men I have the great fortune to coach, and my desire to continue to build the best football program in the country.

“We still have a lot of work to do and my staff and I are excited about the challenges ahead.”

Kelly coached the Fighting Irish to a 12-0 regular-season record and an appearance in the Discover BCS National Championship. Playing for its first national title since 1988, Notre Dame was routed by Alabama, 42-14, on Monday night.

“There is no question we spent a considerable amount of time and effort looking at who we thought were the best collegiate candidates for our head coaching job,” the Eagles said in a statement Saturday. “We did so knowing that there was a remote chance that these coaches would leave their current posts. We understood that going into the process, but we wanted to leave no stone unturned while trying to find the best head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. We have no regrets about the effort we made in that direction and we will continue to proceed as planned in our search.”

CBSSports.com reported Wednesday the Chicago Bears also were interested in Kelly.

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said in a statement that he wasn’t surprised by Kelly’s decision.

“I was always confident that Brian would continue to lead our football program. I am very happy to have that confirmed and share Brian’s excitement about what lies ahead for our program,” he said.

Swarbrick said he appreciated the Eagles and Kelly keeping him informed of what was going on throughout the process.

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The Eagles and Kelly have agreed to revisit talks when he returns this weekend, according to league sources.

CBSSports.com reported Wednesday that the Chicago Bears also are interested in Kelly. But sources refuted that report to ESPNChicago.com.

Kelly coached the Fighting Irish to a 12-0 regular season and an appearance in the Discover BCS National Championship. Playing for its first national title since 1988, Notre Dame was routed by Alabama, 42-14, on Monday night.

Philadelphia has been seeking a replacement for longtime coach Andy Reid, who was fired one day after the Eagles completed a disappointing 4-12 season.

Kelly denied having any interest in an NFL coaching job this past Saturday, claiming that leaving Notre Dame “is not an option. I don’t even think about it.”

The 51-year-old Kelly has steadily climbed the coaching ladder, from Division II Grand Valley State to Central Michigan to Cincinnati to Notre Dame, winning big at every stop along the way.

Kelly has a 28-11 record in three seasons with the Fighting Irish.

“I think from my perspective I’ve got the best job in the country, NFL, college, high school, whatever,” Kelly said Saturday. “I just look at the place that I’m at and thankful for the opportunity that I have.”

Just a year ago, Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick gave Kelly a two-year contract extension to keep him with the Fighting Irish through the 2016 season. Terms have not been released.

Kelly was hired in December 2009, getting a five-year deal. He left an undefeated Cincinnati team that was ranked No. 4 at the time. Fans liked his approach and his resume, which included improved records at Grand Valley State, Central Michigan and Cincinnati.

He has done the same thing in South Bend, begging the question of whether he is ready so soon to make a fresh move, this time to the NFL, or is perhaps trying to parlay a better contract out of Notre Dame.

Kelly was the third college coach Philadelphia has interviewed since firing Andy Reid on Dec. 31. Penn State’s Bill O’Brien and Oregon’s Chip Kelly interviewed with the Eagles last week, but chose to stay at their schools.

Philadelphia has interviewed six candidates and plans to meet with four others, but general manager Howie Roseman said Wednesday that the Eagles aren’t in a rush to replace Reid.

Roseman, owner Jeffrey Lurie and president Don Smolenski also plan to meet with former Bears coach Lovie Smith on Thursday.

“Jeffrey has been very adamant with us that the key is getting the right guy,” Roseman said in an interview on the team’s website. “The key isn’t getting the right guy as quickly as possible, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

They met Denver offensive coordinator Mike McCoy on Sunday and plan to interview Indianapolis offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and Cincinnati offensive coordinator Jay Gruden.

“This whole organization is built to support a head coach and they know that — not only in actions but in words — and all they have to do is call Andy Reid,” Roseman said. “It’s been a positive experience.”

The interview with Chip Kelly last Saturday lasted for several hours, fueling speculation that he was going to take the job. But Kelly, who also was pursued by Cleveland, opted for the second straight year to pass up the NFL. He turned down Tampa Bay last year.

This is the third time Lurie is hiring a new coach since he bought the team from Norman Braman in 1994. He hired Ray Rhodes on Feb. 2, 1995, after a long, exhaustive search that included a flirtation with former Eagles coach Dick Vermeil. Lurie needed less time to hire Reid, giving him the job on Jan. 11, 1999.

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