Notre Dame offensive coordinator Chuck Martin understands the concern about the starting quarterback spot.

But he doesn't feel the need to put a timetable on picking a starter between Tommy Rees, Andrew Hendrix, Everett Golson and Gunner Kiel.

"That's just you guys. (The media) and fans have this master plan of why it has to be a certain way," Martin said of setting timetable. "I've coached for 20 years, I've figured out starting guys on the bus on the way to games and had successful seasons.

"That's just to calm Notre Dame nation down, I guess," Martin added about mapping out the progress of the quarterback competition in a straight timeline.

"You guys will keep asking, and I'll keep saying, 'I don't know.' Unless there is a timetable of when you have to name a starter. Has anyone done a thesis study on if you don't name a starter by May 15, you only average seven wins a year?"

Martin said the quarterback competition has slowed down the offense and the development of other offensive players, but he also noted it hasn't been too bad.

"We slow it down a little bit more for Gunner, just so he can have quality reps every day," Martin said. "He's learning at a very rapid rate. He's a sharp kid. If anything, there is a small portion of reps that we kind of make a little simpler than when guys who have been here for a year, you can move a little more at a rapid pace."