CNATI: Cincinnati OH Sports Journalism

University of Cincinnati Bearcats

Bearcats moving on without Kelly

By C. Trent Rosecrans, CNATI.com Posted December 10, 2009 11:51 PM ET

Brian Kelly gathered his players on Thursday night and told them he was leaving the University of Cincinnati and taking the job at Notre Dame.

Senior receiver Mardy Gilyard didn't hear anything else after that, he turned and walked out of the room, only to return after Kelly left through the downtown Westin's kitchen and out of the hotel.

"He made a business decision, I'm old enough to accept that," said Gilyard.

Sophomore Isaiah Pead said the meeting was "professional."

"He stood in front of us, told us he was out of here and told us it was for the good of his family, good of him, it was an opportunity and he took it," Pead said.

UC athletic director Mike Thomas said offensive coordinator Jeff Quinn will be the interim head coach and the entire staff would remain intact apart from Kelly. Thomas said it was his decision for Kelly not to coach the Sugar Bowl.

Three years ago, Kelly was hired a week after Mark Dantonio left to go to Michigan State. Thomas would not comment on any specifics of his search for Kelly's replacement.

"I'm not going to comment on the search. All I'll say is that it'll start as soon as possible," Thomas said.

Kelly went 34-6 in three season as UC, including 12-0 this season. The Bearcats had had just one 10-win season before Kelly came aboard. He led the team to at least 10 victories in each of his three full seasons with the Bearcats. UC's current No. 4 ranking is the highest in school history. Last season the Bearcats went to their first BCS bowl game, and the Sugar Bowl will be their second.

"I'm going to recognize that this program has made historic strides in the last three yards and we're a better football program because we crossed paths with Brian Kelly and his staff. We'll move forward and continue to have great success on the gridiron."

Thomas said Kelly informed him of his interest in Notre Dame when he was required to do so. Thomas said every effort was made by UC to keep him, but in the end, the lure of South Bend was too much for Kelly.

According to multiple reports, Kelly has agreed to a five-year contract at Notre Dame.

"He's a business man, he's always been a business man. His rap sheet shows that, he took the business aspect," Gilyard said.

"The game of college football is starting to shy away from the football part and is becoming big coaching contracts and that shouldn't be the way the game is played. It should be about football, but now it's about being paid. It's a business aspect and he had to do what he had to do for his family."

Kelly informed the team on Monday that he'd been contacted by Notre Dame and would listen to their offer, setting off days of rumors and reports of Kelly's immanent departure. Reports of Kelly's hiring leaked before the team's banquet on Thursday, and Kelly entered the Westin surrounded by police officers, refused comments and left without comment.

One former UC player (who never played for Kelly) called his actions "cowardly" but most of the current players tried to move on.

"We want to make sure all y'all know don't be discouraged about coming out to support us," said senior defensive end Alex Daniels, "because we were the ones out there playing every play, every snap, he was just calling the signals."

Gilyard said the seniors would keep the team together for the showdown with the Gators, even without Kelly at the helm.

"I (say) to the city of Cincinnati, I got us, the seniors got us, the 16 seniors are going to lead us, the team is going to back them," Gilyard said. "City of Cincinnati, don't y'all worry about nothing, we got us. We got us. We got us. We got us. Keep continuing to support us. Cincinnati is still Cincinnati without BK."

Categories: College, Featured Stories, Football, News, University of Cincinnati Bearcats

Tags: Alex Daniels, Brian Kelly, Isaiah Pead, Jeff Quinn, Mardy Gilyard, Mike Thomas