While his normal gig is covering the NFL, ESPN‘s Chris Mortenson has branched out this evening and is reporting on our lil’ old college game.
And Mortenson is confirming what was previously reported by the South Bend Tribune — Notre Dame finds themselves in possession of a new coach.
According to Mortenson, and citing two sources, Now-former (probably) Cincinnati head coach Brian Kelly will become the Irish’s next head coach.
Additionally, a trustee on UC’s board confirmed to the Cincinnati Enquirer that Kelly was indeed leaving for Notre Dame.
Neither Kelly — or one of his representatives — nor Notre Dame has publicly confirmed an agreement has been reached. Kelly has also not informed his players or coaching staff that he is leaving, the Enquirer reports.
One of those players — wide receiver Mardy Gilyard — blasted Kelly for what he says were lies told to him and his teammates by Kelly about the Irish situation.
“I feel like there was a little lying in this thing, I feel like he’s known the whole time. I kind of had a gut feeling that he was going to stay because he told me he was going to be here. But it is what it is. He made a business decision,” Gilyard said. “He said he wasn’t going anywhere. He liked the city of Cincinnati. We’ll be all right even if he takes the job. We’ll be all right before the bowl game and after it. We’ll still be good.
“It ain’t cool to lie. I’m hot about that. But I respect BK, and everything he did for the program here. We know whoever the coach is, the players know we’re going to take care of business (in the bowl game). We’re already looking ahead.”
Yeah, that awards banquet scheduled for this evening is going to be real comfortable for a whole lot of people.
And you can all but assume that I have as much of a chance of coaching the bowl game against Florida as Kelly does.
AS A CINCINNATI SEASON TICKET HOLDER I WILL SAY THAT BK IS A GREAT COACH….HE IS JUST AN AWFUL PERSON…..A COACH THAT WILL TELL YOU ANYTHING YOU WANT TO HEAR, WHILE HE IS STABBING YOU IN THE BACK…IN A WAY, I AM GLAD HE IS GONE…..AND THEN THERE IS ALL THE STORIES HERE IN CINCY ABOUT HIS LATE NIGHT WOMANIZING WHILE HIS WIFE IS AT HOME RAISING 2 KIDS WHILE SHE BATTLES CANCER……WHAT A GUY
I agree, you don’t leave your team right before a huge bowl game. Poor taste and a classless act. Oh well…time to move on, we have bigger things to worry about, like a bowl game on Jan. 1st.
Screw BK he lied to the city and his fans if he wanted to coach here for only short term he should have signed a short term contract. Don’t sign a long term contract if you don’t plan to honor it. The NCAA needs to step in and put an end to this. Why can coaches leave and transfer and breach contracts at will but if a player wants to do it he gets punished and has to sit out a year? Don’t let the door hit you in the Ass on your way out BK hope you can have another .500 season next year at Notre Dame.
Here come the Irish!
Seems alot like what Richrod did to my Mountaineers a couple of years ago. Hey at least Kelly didnt throw the last game like Rodriguez did against Pitt (costing WVU a shot a the National title). Hopefully the players will rally around the new / interim coach (like WVU did) and represent the Big East well and bring home a victory in the bowl game.
Gilyard, your coach got a better job. Get over it. If you play in NFL, I am sure you won’t change teams for more money. If you don’t play in the NFL, I’ll sure you will never leave one job for another that pays more.
s a irish fan hope he dos great,
Last 3 years Cincy 34-6, ND 16-21. Kelly obviously knows more about coaching than the last guy they had at ND, but even so he may discover that he’s attempting the impossible. Still, win or lose he’ll get 5 years at a lot more money than Cincy was paying.
I hope he loses every game…
Signed,
Pissed off UC fan
ND gets even worse. Pathetic hire.
As I said earlier this week…Good Riddance!!! BK is a lying, back-stabbing, Judas piece of shit. I have two friends on the UC football team who confirm Gilyard’s comments that Kelly made it quite clear that he was not taking the ND job. I take solace in knowing that this was Dantonio’s team, not his, and while he gets all the credit, a bunch of 8-4 and trips to the Sun Bowl will not satisfy the ND crowd. I’m just glad he finally made up his mind as I and alot of others here were sick of his acting out against the media when he was secretly meeting with ND.
I dont care about tradition, or college football needs ND or whatever horseshit line Swarbrick wants to feed us. He’s your problem now. Prepare to renegotiate his contract each and every year. He’s Bobby Petrino Jr…just waiting for the next gig.
You can have him…
Were all you Cincy fans such haters when he left Central Michigan for you? No, you were happy to get a great coach, which is what he is. You are likely ticked since UC will be sub-500 again in two years.
What to say about this from the “told his players and the media one thing, did something else” angle? Personally, I think lying to your players is never a good thing, but with 100+ players plus coaches and staff, what are the chances one of them is going to go to the media and say, “Coach told us he is talking to Notre Dame” when he’s insisting otherwise? If he had come right out and said, “I’m talking to Notre Dame,” then there would have been some in the media blasting him for even thinking about leaving Cincy with a contract in force, and others breaking their necks to report whatever “source” they had to be the first to announce he had agreed to be the next ND coach.
I know that no team likes to lose their coach to another team, especially someone that has been as successful as Kelly has been. I really cannot blame Cincy fans for being upset; less than a week ago they were one second in Dallas away from the BCS Championship Game, and now they’re going into the Sugar Bowl without the HC who got them there. Kelly, though, has built the program to such a level that the Bearcats have a great chance of getting a proven coach to come in and pick up where he left off.
But such is how it is now. Those “long-term” contracts are about attracting recruits, not about actually locking up a coach for years. We see coaches leave and schools fire coaches before the ink is even dry on those 8-year deals they sign to convince players that they guy that recruited them is really going to be there as long as they are. The NCAA won’t or can’t stop it, and even if they had that power, I trust that corrupt organization less than I do Congress on health care reform.
C’est la vie.
This is one of those “who cares” moments. Only ND Alums and those who want to rip on ND football. This is a nothing moment…
ND faded into the sunset of college football….. zzzzzzzzzzz……
ND is desperate…. I’ll bet they throw another huge contract at this guy… then pay him off to leave in a few years.
Listen up… the ND subway alums are dying… knute Rockne is an icon of the past… Rudy is inspirational…
OK… keep touting high academic achievement and graduation rate… ND still is not winning curcial games…. and has not been a leading – winning college football program for a long time. Can’t win the big ones…
ND fans and alums are living in the past and no better than Jerry Jones or George Steinbrenner at trying to “buy” a winner.
Kudos to Mardy Gilyard for walking out of the meeting with Kelly at the team banquet early, and then for saying he hopes Kelly packs for South Bend in a hurry. You have got to love that.
@gregh I think what Kelly did to Central Michigan was crappy, I never once said I agreed with it. But sub-500? You must be a moron.
This announcement could have waited until after the Bowl Game. What a douche bag, doesn’t give a damn about his players. He’ll be nothing at ND. They have no talent and it will take years to reload. Good riddance.
Kelly was a great coach in his 3 years at UC, anyone who disputes that is just a jaded UC fan. I think the system that allows a coach to leave his players prior to the season coming to a close is a bad system. Michigan St did it to UC, UC did it to Central Michigan, and now Notre Dame has done it to UC. I am sure UC will do it to another program here in the near future. I blame the NCAA for allowing it to continue. Kelly said himself that “people don’t think I’ll stay, because they think UC is a stepping stone program, but I don’t believe that” well he just proved again that UC is indeed a stepping stone to a bigger better gig. I think Kelly will resurrect Notre Dame from the ashes into a perennial top 10 power, but I think he has aspirations of going pro, so it may just be a matter of time before he moves onto his next challenge. As a UC fan I hope the hire Kevin Sumlin from Houston to keep the program rolling. One has to wonder if Texas would have lost to Nebraska, would Kelly still be on his way to ND, we are one second away from knowing.
As a Cincy resident…I am actually kind of surprised by the reaction. Kelly was a legend in his short time in this town, but he was put in a bad spot…and don’t ever diss mamma.
Haha, the majority of these post are good comedy. Does anyone in the Queen city understand BCS-caliber football? Don’t be naive. Cincy is, and will always be, a good stepping stone for coaches to get to a better program. Period. Seriously gilyard, chill-ax. Great point willmose. . . will gilyard stay with the team that picks him up as an undrafted FA, or the team that shows interest if he’s lucky enough to go to the playoffs 2 of 3 years? It’s simple math bearcats, Kelly outgrew you, move on. Btw – where were the comments about infidelity when huggins was there? far too easy to play that card on Kelly now. . . at least get creative in our crying. Good luck angry Cincy-fans. Hope ND can be as unfortunate to hit 2-straight BCS appearances with this classless loser as you were. Cha-ching. Enjoy the payout BigEast. Oh yea, Phil Fulmer has already called you twice. . . please return his calls.
I am dismayed by the vitriol that I see here. Kelly did a great job with Cincy but can you deny the man a chance to exercise a career choice for something he obviously wants to do ? Clearly the Irish want someone to take over quickly and get a staff and ensure recruiting doesn’t miss a beat. Be grateful Cincy fans that he helped take you to the heights he did.. instead of spewing obsenities. Don’t sound so desperate…. the program he left is in great shape and will attract a great coach that will continue to build the program.
As an ND fan I am delighted, I think he will be a great fit for an institution that gets the fact that these are STUDENT athletes. When only a quarter of FBS schools can even boast a graduation rate of 75% or greater, then I dare say the other 3/4′s have lost THEIR relevance. When you get down to it, a diploma is the most important thing. And love them or hate them, a successful ND program is healthy for college football.
I wish Cincy nothing but success which I am sure they will achieve. Lets just let the discussion remain on the high road.
There would be nothing better than ND and Cincy playing for the National Championship, lets hope it happens….
Let me preface by saying you can’t hold a few of these Cincinnati posters as the voice of all Bearcat fans!! We are NOT desperate … With that said, yeah, lets keep it on the high road … Unfortunately, BK did not do that … He was classless the way he handled the situation … I have no qulams with him leaving and frankly let me tell you that most of us are happy the situation is finally over!!
I don’t get the graduation argument here … Cincinnati stands at one of the highest graduation rates among BCS schools …
Furthermore, (college football fan) it isn’t about anything but Football at Notre Dame … This so-called Catholic School has turned its head to the fact that both BK and his wife (more so) attend Pro-Choice rallies frequently …
Lastly, yes, BK did what was best for him when you view the situation monetarily … How about we look beyond that … BK had something special at Cincinnati … He could have been King here … Even with tough years and losing seasons we would have let him retire from UC … However, he chose a place where coaches die …
It’s a tough situation all around … Apparently Kelly didn’t have the same feelings as Huggins, who said it best, “I said a few years ago when I didn’t go to West Virginia that the greatest resource of this city is the people and I mean that. I’m proud to be a Cincinnatian.”
Happy Holidays Guys … Go Bearcats and Coach Quinn!!
The NCAA needs to adopt a rule like MLB, the NFL, and the NBA has regarding “tampering”. You cannot talk to a coach until THEIR season is over. I’m a Gator fan and want to see Tebow and the other Gator seniors win huge against the Bearcats, but I feel sorry for the seniors at UC. They get screwed, not by Kelly, but by Notre Dame. They throw money around to solve their problems and Kelly’s just the latest to grab it when offered. Hard to blame him for taking it. If that much was offered to me, I’d be tempted to grab it too. But what does the NCAA show (toward it’s “student-athletes”) by allowing it? If you’re a UC fan, you have the right to be mad. If you’re an ND fan, you should be embarrassed. If you’re the NCAA, you should be DOING SOMETHING about tampering with coaches preparing to play in post-season games.
Hey, “ohioirish”, what’s this about “BCS-caliber” football”? Exactly how many Big East teams did ND play this year, and how many of those games did ND win?
Hey, its not that he went to ND that should piss everyone off. Its how the whole thing was handled. I consider the ND job a form of a promotion just like leaving Central Michigan was for him when he came to Cinci. Most of us would not turn down a promotion, especillay if it meant more money and coaching at one of the best colleges with a very rich history. With this said, BK is going to have his hands full at ND. Its not like it was years ago under Holtz and company. You have tougher academic standards which can limit your talent on the field. Like Charlie Weiss, if BK is not carefull he can become another ND coach who falls off the planet when ND replaces him too for not getting the Irish a National Title. As far as the Bearcats go, BK has built a Program that will be here for a while. Cinci has talent going forward and they will acquire more talent in the future. BK is not the only coach out there who can build a solid contender. Besides, the way BK handled all this, I’m glad he left Cinci…HE IS NOT A TEAM PLAYER.
College football fan sounds like a typical ND fan to me. Ya, it’s all about graduation rates… Ha! Unless you play for a military academy (all the credit and respect in the world to you guys) it is all about winning. Do you really think the majority of these kids would even be in school if it were not for football? Please, it is a stepping stone to the next level or at least a 4 year reprieve from the inevitable but at least they get to live like kings in the interim.
As for your pondering of a National Championship including ND and Cincy… Are you high?
Wait, you’re a ND fan, enough said…
Awesome. He’s an idiot, womanizing piece of crap of a person. Perfect for ND. Hope he drags the “holier than thou” tight asses down even farther than they are now. ND football on TV, in the press … and even the ND central on MSNBC.com is a total waste of space and this makes those who committed to coving this pathetic athletic program only because kissing bible banger ass makes $ look like the morons they are. Love it!!!
Dear Cincy Fans and Mr. Gilyard,
This season for me has been hilarious. All of a sudden UC fans are coming out of everywhere, saying they are the best team in the state bla bla bla. The fact is Cincy is a sub-standard program with horrible facilities. George Mason went to the final four, where are they now? You and your program are a one hit wonder. Say whatever you want about the Buckeyes, but they have an amazing coach, good players (except for TP), and 100k screaming fans every week.
I was glad to see him leave. ND has better facilities, better tradition, more money, and better student athletes. Cincy needs to just relax, you’re like the “practice chick” that gets used, feels good, gets off, and then gets thrown away. Be thankful, the Bengals swept the Browns, Steelers, AND Ravens, who cares about the “Bearcats”; they will never be a constant contender in BCS.
Mr. Gilyard,
Assuming you can read (I’m not crossing my fingers), you are going to make a lot of money in the NFL. You need to relax, and “ain’t” is not a word; another reason why I would not want to coach idiots like you. Cincinnati is a grimy place with students who cannot even graduate, spell, or speak correctly. Seems BK is leaving the Rhine for a place he probably won’t get molested walking to his car. Go Irish!!!
@ OSUbucksFAN
Generalize much? the following is from Notre Dame’s own website, from October, 2008:
“Notre Dame was one of seven institutions to achieve a graduation rate of 90 percent or better for student-athletes who began their education in the 2001-02 academic year. Colorado won the overall award, with Cincinnati, Duke, Navy, Rutgers and Vanderbilt joining Notre Dame with a rate of 90 percent or higher. ”
So what makes ND better student athletes? Because they sure don’t win more games. As far as facilities, UC has been making improvements like they have been for their whole campus. It is my understanding that ND has been improving theirs, too, because they were not much to brag about. So I guess the two schools have that in common.
What ND has in common with OSU is that they used to be great programs, they aren’t now, but their fans still think they are. Your last national championship was courtesy of a bad call and an OSU player breaking the leg of the opponent’s star running back.
Also, congratulations on your enlightened attitude re practice chicks. Puts your whole opinion in oerspective.
BK left Central Michigan University right before a bowl game to coach UC. He also told everyone including the players he was not going anywhere, though speculations said otherwise…and the news was saying otherwise…and the internet was saying otherwise…and he was seen attending meetings at UC. So, this really is no different. Coach Quinn stepped in and CMU won the bowl game…though he gets no credit for it.
Football is a business and it is as simple as that. It is unfair to the players however, but does anyone care? The players work there butts off and get beat up on the field, but they should be thankful because they get a scholarship! I disagree with that mentality. As previously stated, the NCAA penalizes the kid who wants to switch schools.
Remember he is a coach slash salesman,first and he could careless about lying ,he is paid to win football games and ND doesnt care about anything but getting back to elite status in football,which may happen with Lyin Kelly
Remember he is a coach slash salesman,first and he could careless about lying ,he is paid to win football games and ND doesnt care about anything but getting back to elite status in football,which may happen with Lyin Kelly