The team was coached by Brian Kelly and played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.

Star tight end Kyle Rudolph chose to forgo his final year of eligibility, and enter the 2011 NFL draft.

The Irish also lost a number of important seniors, including four-year starter defensive lineman Ian Williams, linebackers Kerry Neal and Brian Smith, cornerback Darrin Walls, running backs Robert Hughes and Armando Allen, Wide Receiver Duval Kamara, and offensive lineman Matt Romine and Chris Stewart, all to graduation.

[2] With his first full recruiting class, Brian Kelly added 23 prospects to the football team, including the addition of five early-enrollees: defensive end Aaron Lynch, outside linebacker Ishaq Williams, offensive lineman Brad Carrico, quarterback Everett Golson, and kicker Kyle Brindza.

Sources: The following players were announced to award watch lists prior to the start of the 2011 season: [8] Quarterbacks Running backs Wide receivers Tight ends Offensive line Offensive tackles Offensive guards Centers Defensive ends Defensive tackles Nose guards Linebackers Inside Linebackers Outside Linebackers Defensive backs Cornerbacks Safeties Kickers/Punters Long snappers # Incoming Transfer, Must sit out a year [9] [10] Game Captain: Chris Salvi Game Captain: Robert Blanton Game Captain: Darius Fleming Despite the game being played only 12 miles from the Maryland campus, both end zones read "Notre Dame" and the majority of the fans in attendance were supporting the Fighting Irish.