Coach Kelly Situation

[#41]

It's amusing -- I talked to someone who was at the BCS Selection Show party, and they had the FOX broadcast on the big-screen at the 'Shoe.

When Jimmy Johnson started talking about Notre Dame, the entire crowd started booing, loudly. Kelly, who was down on the court with the players, looked down and kept playing with his kids -- not acknowledging anything that was going on.

[ncaa2011]

Link? or is this just more useless speculation?

ESPN homepage

[GoCats1994]

Do we have any for sure confirmation on this?

And if so why would they interview him in NY? Is the pope in town or something and ND needs to get his approval???

This is the one thing that bothers me about this the most.

I have no problems with him "listening". But...this does not sound like BK holds all the cards. Sounds like he is pursuing the job.

If he is merely "listening"...he takes the phone call...or perhaps the ND folks visit him here in Cincy. Point being...they come to him on his terms.

If he is meeting them in NY (assuming this is true) - this is no longer a case of "listening". This is a case of BK pursuing.

[bcatwilly]

This is the one thing that bothers me about this the most.

I have no problems with him "listening". But...this does not sound like BK holds all the cards. Sounds like he is pursuing the job.

If he is merely "listening"...he takes the phone call...or perhaps the ND folks visit him here in Cincy. Point being...they come to him on his terms.

If he is meeting them in NY (assuming this is true) - this is no longer a case of "listening". This is a case of BK pursuing.

Hammer meet nail...

[catscratchfever]

This is another false report by Joe Schaad, last week Joe reported Bob Stoops was the new ND head coach.

it was Adam Schefter of ESPN who reported Stoops to ND.

[catscratchfever]

This is the one thing that bothers me about this the most.

I have no problems with him "listening". But...this does not sound like BK holds all the cards. Sounds like he is pursuing the job.

If he is merely "listening"...he takes the phone call...or perhaps the ND folks visit him here in Cincy. Point being...they come to him on his terms.

If he is meeting them in NY (assuming this is true) - this is no longer a case of "listening". This is a case of BK pursuing.

All of Kelly's comments have made it perfectly clear that he really wants the ND job. If they offer he is gone. He is actively pursuing and campaigning for the job. Our only hope is that they do not offer him the job.

[mjb1979]

Mike Thomas should schedule a tentative meeting with Butch Jones for Saturday. Get him in here in time for coach the bowl, if need be.

[DMoney1080]

Here is one thought on this matter. What if Kelly was going to "entertain" the ND folks by listening, but in reality he is setting things up so that he can then say he is not interested in the job. He can they use that for recruits saying that he turned down ND, because UC was a much better fit for not just Kelly and his family but also for the recruit he is talking to? Also, I think it makes sense to talk to other schools to find out your worth.

Personally, I think he is staying.

I hope you are right, but there is a sickening feeling in my stomach about it. But that's because we have done so good for the past three years. Seriously, I think it will come down to his family and what he really values. $$$ or family. I don't think he's lied to his players. I think he is going to entertain ND, because we all entertain other job offers at some point. He's just seeing what's out there. However, that being said - the grass is definitely not greener on the other side. Being a ND fan for many years and a UC grad, I'm sick of ND. I'm tired of them and all of the talking and trying to get their way. They haven't been good for so long....

After listening to the DP show today, the one comment I had a problem with is his answer if he would coach in the bowl game....and he walked around the question. You can look at two ways: he's watching his words, but it almost sounds like he has thought about it.

[CincyBurns]

I can't link to it from work, but check out Joe Schad's (of ESPN) tweet. He says Kelly is interviewing with ND tomorrow probably in NYC. Ugh.

[Pruke]

Kelly is 50% gone. For whatever reason, the contract with UC is not signed. He could be interested in going to ND, could be going to enforce some leverage into his UC negotiations, could be going because he has a Notre Dame tatoo on his back and feels obligated. Who knows what's going on here, but surely his interviewing with them on Tuesday at least leaves it open to 50% gone. His family could remain here in Cincinnati and he could have some transportation negotiated into the deal.

Regardless, I just hope Mike Thomas is acting a lot less like us and more like a good AD that he is and compiling a hot list of candidates that will surprise us in a good way if Kelly does end up leaving.

[UcatsRick]

Is ND Still Relevant?

I listened to a guest on Ken Broo's Sunday show on 700WLW while driving home from Pittsburgh. This guy was an attorney/agent who seemed to know alot about college sports and contracts and schools.

His comments about the history of Notre Dame, from past coaches to the catholic population of the midwest, to the 85 scholarship limit, got me thinking. Based on his comments I am thinking that ND is not nearly as attractive a coaching position as many would believe.

Recruiting is getting more difficult as parity robs ND of many athletes.
TV contracts: Boise St., Cincinnati and TCU were all on TV multiple times this season. High expectations at ND have lead to short coaching lives in South Bend since Lou Holtz left. I recall hearing Charlie Weiss talk about how hard it was for his son to take verbal abuse form schoolmates over his dad's coaching record.

I'm not presuming anything about Brian Kelly, but I think he is smart enough to know that much about ND.

This agent also talked about the issue of schools and the coaching carousel. He said both sides were at fault. Schools fire coaches before the contract expires based on losses and wins. So any coach going into that position will be forced to ask for more money to offset the risk of being fired. I would like to think that BK has a solid future at UC if he stays, and runs the risk of ending up like Weiss if he moves. He may be richer for it, but at what cost?

[waterhead]

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/ncf/news/story?id=4722121

Kelly to interview with ND tomorrow?

[waterhead]

I guess the ND supposed "political bias" against Kelly has worn off for something more important...winning football games. LOL! I hope UC comes up big with what they are offering because it seems as though there is definitely a mutual interest now.

I can just see it now...Swarbick "Brian the last time your opinion on abortion was against our policy...has anything changed this time...wink wink...God is watching?"

Kelly "Oh did I say that...let me rephrase...wink wink...(pounds chest points to sky)"

Swarbick "Oh Brian I think you'll fit right in how about a Guiness?"

[mikep]

The damage this would do to the Big East would far out weigh any positive contribution ND has ever made to the BE. I hope Mike Thomas in on the phone with the new commissioner right now. The BE has to have some leverage there.

[Forsure21]

It is ridiculous that ND takes BIg East bowl games and now coaches? I have can't think of a coach who has left for a school in the same confrence.