Coach Kelly Situation

[08bearcat]

The issue isn't that BK isn't good, its just that... the University has made it a priority to keep him within their means. The President has made it a special priority. But clearly, our maximums are short of ND's maximums, and they're probably even short of UofL. And we should be glad since those increased maximums generally mean a jaded fan base with unrealistic expectations. It is good that they aren't just making a straight up commitment without aligning it with the University's financial situation. But, they're pushing the limit and that's all we can ask them to do.

I think the program itself is healthy. But, just having a competitive team in the Big East was the goal 5 years ago while our Basketball tradition was the asset. Now we've won the thing twice. We're living in the era of tradition.

Losing BK would stink, but MT has made smart hires. We may experience a dropoff, but a dropoff may be nice to help fortify our fans without spending the expense of yearly BCS bowls (it will cost my dad and I at least 1500 bucks to go to go to New Orleans, whereas Charlotte or Birmingham would have cost around 500, maybe). Feel free to disagree, but UofL would be the best job in the Big East right now if Kragthorpe had just won 7-8 games a year. We just can't go from top to bottom, like UofL did, but with the talent in the bank, we're fine, and with the (at least geographical) upgrade of bowls next year, things should be good for the forseeable future. Disney? NYC? Awesome.

[Endzone]

In a past post somewhere I stated 3 reasons why ND might not be interested in Coach Kelly. I now believe that Kelly is already gone to ND. In fact I think he's known for over a week now. It's time to start thinking about who would be a good replacement and also does he coach in the BCS game?

[cmm27]

And what is the basis for that thought?

[London 'Cat]

This quote from BK has weighed heavily on my mind since all the ND speculation began a few weeks ago: "NOBODY thinks Cincinnati is a destination job." (Caps for emphasis in his inflection) Kelly's words, not mine. He did not say "Nobody but me ..." or "Nobody but me and the folks here at UC ..." or anything along those lines. Therefore, "Nobody" includes Kelly. He's gone, IMO. I thank him for what he has done for the program and believe that it is better today than when he arrived. I trust Mike Thomas to hire another excellent coach.

[slimm]

just my two cents....I think he is gone as well. hope Im wrong, but thanks for putting us on the map at a level that I thought was never attainable in my lifetime........... Reasons?....1) He NEVER came out publicly and said I am not interested in the ND job. I am staying here.(like others up for the job did)... 2) ND is a destination job and every coach worth a crap wants to get to one of those spots. UC will NEVER have the money, facilities,exposure and alumni support that ND has. I hate ND for a plethora of reasons, but if kelly goes there ( or anywhere in fact ), I will be their newest fan.....go cats, crush florida!!!

[mjb1979]

This quote from BK has weighed heavily on my mind since all the ND speculation began a few weeks ago: "NOBODY thinks Cincinnati is a destination job." (Caps for emphasis in his inflection) Kelly's words, not mine. He did not say "Nobody but me ..." or "Nobody but me and the folks here at UC ..." or anything along those lines. Therefore, "Nobody" includes Kelly. He's gone, IMO. I thank him for what he has done for the program and believe that it is better today than when he arrived. I trust Mike Thomas to hire another excellent coach.

I think you're reading way too much into that. He has also asked, rhetorically, 'why can't Cincinnati be a destination job?' Every time he has talked along these lines it is to deflect rumors that he is leaving for a 'better' job. Never has he implied that he sees Cincy as a stepping stone.

[mjb1979]

just my two cents....I think he is gone as well. hope Im wrong, but thanks for putting us on the map at a level that I thought was never attainable in my lifetime........... Reasons?....1) He NEVER came out publicly and said I am not interested in the ND job. I am staying here.(like others up for the job did)... 2) ND is a destination job and every coach worth a crap wants to get to one of those spots. UC will NEVER have the money, facilities,exposure and alumni support that ND has. I hate ND for a plethora of reasons, but if kelly goes there ( or anywhere in fact ), I will be their newest fan.....go cats, crush florida!!!

If Kelly leaves for ND, I will thank him for what he did for the program, and hope he fails miserably at Notre Dame. Why? ND is no longer a relevant program. If he left for a current powerhouse, I could understand it. But ND is a sinking ship and it will never return to a program of prominence. If he leaves Cincy for ND, he is giving up a job where he has it all for an ego boost and five seasons of scrutiny over every move before he is relieved for the next "savior" to come in and fail. If he wants to go, so be it. But I won't root for him.

That said, I don't think he's leaving.

[Cpaw]

FWIW- I dont trust the site

But wanted to keep all information available posted. This is from coachscoop

Notre Dame:
Sources close to the situation tell us that Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick has now moved onto Randy Edsall (UConn Head Coach). According to our
sources, major contract discussions have taken place and it is confirmed that Edsall has mutual interest. On December 2, FootballCoachScoop was the
FIRST TO REPORT that the interest between the two parties.

I personally think BK stays BTW. From what he has said in the past, this is more negotiotation and also getting the CINCINNATI name into the media. People will know who you are if they are talking about you all the time, and the program. Kids will know who you are, parents, the football world. It is a media play, and he is doing it great.
Also, anyone else notice the first person to hug Kelly yesterday after the win?
Mike Thomas! He was right by his side.

[Dannyboy]

Jimmy V once famously said, "you never mess with happiness." The reason for BK to stay is as simple as that: he is a God in this town, and he has a job for life. No one will ever question him or rip him. If he goes to ND, its nothing but criticism all the time. They mock your kids in school if you lose a game. The pressure is unreal.

I understand why someone would take the ND job (money, ego). But leaving a perfect situation is usually a bad idea. If he leaves, God bless him. I hope he does well and has a good life. But ND is an insane pressure cooker where its hard to win. I wouldn't want it.

[MDW79]

This site is losing all crediblity. There "first to report" everything b/c they have literally thrown every possible scenario out there.

[Kindog202]

If Kelly leaves for ND, I will thank him for what he did for the program, and hope he fails miserably at Notre Dame. Why? ND is no longer a relevant program. If he left for a current powerhouse, I could understand it. But ND is a sinking ship and it will never return to a program of prominence. If he leaves Cincy for ND, he is giving up a job where he has it all for an ego boost and five seasons of scrutiny over every move before he is relieved for the next "savior" to come in and fail. If he wants to go, so be it. But I won't root for him.

That said, I don't think he's leaving.

My thoughts exactly. Honestly, at this point, I think he is gone and I hope that something will be announced shortly. I did not like that Coach Kelly would "entertain" the opportunity to talk to ND. That's the most concrete thing to come from BK during this whole process. I think with the win yesterday, he and UC are trying to think of the best time to announce his departure. To me, there has been too much side-stepping and avoiding of the question and he had a perfect platform to emphatically announce his intentions to stay after yesterday's game. I hope I am dead wrong on this. I hope that there is a decision within the next few days so the "silly" season ends and the team can focus on the BCS game and know who is going to lead them in that game. With nearly a month until the BCS bowl game, the distractions will continue to mount until we know for sure who is the next ND coach.

[Dannyboy]

I did not like that Coach Kelly would "entertain" the opportunity to talk to ND.

Did he really say that, or is that ABC/ESPN making things up again? If its not on tape, I tend not to believe what the media says.

[bobestes]

There is something to be said for raising the profile of the program by turning down prestigious jobs... no one asks Beamer if he's leaving Va Tech anymore.

Maybe it sends a message to recruits: "I think this program is good enough to be here, you should, too"

[Kindog202]

Did he really say that, or is that ABC/ESPN making things up again? If its not on tape, I tend not to believe what the media says.

I don't know for sure, just going off the scroll on the bottom line during the game yesterday. IMO, I don't think they would run something like that unless they were certain he or his representative/agent made that comment. I think the word "entertain" was in quotes because that is the word that was used by BK and/or his representation.
**
I really hope the rumors about Edsall are true though.

[BoxerBill]

Kelly would "entertain" the opportunity to talk to ND.

Totally disagree with your read on this. BK has always said he would not talk to anyone during the regular season. It is difficult to refuse an offer till you have heard it. It is difficult to say you are not interested until you know what is being offered. I truly believe that all he is saying is, if they call, I will talk to them after the regular season. Same as any one of us would do. Why spend your whole life wondering what the offer might have been? Hear them out, then make the best decision for you and your family. Then have no regrets.

Which of us would not do the same? Remember, the King of Clifton is still a human being with a family and a career.

GO BEARCATS!!!!