Brian Kelly says arrested ND players had to be held 'accountable'

Notre Damecoach Brian Kelly said Monday he hopes the discipline he issued out to six football players this past weekend helps teach the Fighting Irish about accountability and responsibility.

Speaking to SiriusXM College Sports Nation, Kelly, in his first interview since six of his players were arrested over two separate incidents on Friday night and Saturday morning, said he needed to remind his players about their priorities while at Notre Dame.

"Well first of all, you remind them about why they're here," Kelly said on the radio show. "And certainly accountability is the most important thing. And I've always felt, I'm a parent, too. And as good parents always do, there's always education in the process. You want to make sure that you're going through everything with them and making sure that they understand what the priorities are: Academics, athletics.

"You want them to enjoy their time here but they've got to make good decisions. And then if they don't, hold them accountable for it, and we certainly have done that."

In a strongly worded statement Sunday, Kelly dismissed senior starting free safety Max Redfield, suspended senior cornerback Devin Butler indefinitely and said that four other players arrested Friday night will be subject to internal disciplinary measures within the team.

Redfield, sophomore linebacker Te'Von Coney, freshman receiver Kevin Stepherson, redshirt freshman cornerback Ashton White and sophomore running back Dexter Williams were arrested Friday night in Fulton County (Indiana) after police stopped them for speeding. All five players were charged with possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor. Redfield, Stepherson and Williams were also charged with possession of a handgun without a license, also a misdemeanor.

In a separate incident just hours later at an off-campus bar Saturday morning in South Bend, Indiana, Butler was arrested on preliminary charges of battery to law enforcement and resisting law enforcement.