So Kelly is the new Irish coach

[SteelBlue]

I always feel for the guys who committed in what turns out to be the last years of a coach's tenure. Kids who came to Cincy to play for Kelly now have to go through the hell that is adjusting to a new coach who didn't recruit you and in whose system you may not be a good fit. I think it would be nice if the NCAA allowed transfers without the loss of a year of eligibility for programs in which the coach leaves suddenly and without warning. I realize that this could wreak havoc on the program being left but it seems much more fair to the student athlete.

[cougjunkie]

Notre Dames beat writer said today that Kelly has never had a recruiting class ranked in the top 60. That is not good, however it does show that he gets the most out of the talent he has.

[Fiyero]

Is he going to coach the Sug?

[BoylenOver]

Is he going to coach the Sug?

No, their OC will be the interim HC.

[BoylenOver]

Notre Dames beat writer said today that Kelly has never had a recruiting class ranked in the top 60. That is not good, however it does show that he gets the most out of the talent he has.

If he can come up with guys like Binns, Pike, and Gilyard, he should do really well with the prestige and draw of Notre Dame.

[Surfah]

I think it's kind of BS move to jump right now with your team playing Florida in a BCS bowl game. His players at Cincy are pissed. But I also understand when you're new boss is paying you the money they are you best get your ass in some houses and recruit.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

I think this is a reach and makes it likely that ND will be looking for a new coach again in 4-5 years. However I bet if Kelly makes it to a BCS game the next 2 years that ND will not give him a 10 year extension.

[SteelBlue]

I think it's kind of BS move to jump right now with your team playing Florida in a BCS bowl game. His players at Cincy are pissed. But I also understand when you're new boss is paying you the money they are you best get your ass in some houses and recruit.

Exactly, it's such a slap in the face. But if he doesn't jump now he's a month behind in recruiting which is completely unacceptable. I'm sure our Ute brethren can sympathize with the Cincy folks. It just feels wrong but I guess players know going in that it's a risk.

[SteelBlue]

Is he going to coach the Sug?

Sounds like he will not. And on that note do you Ute fans ever wish you'd denied Urban the chance to coach in your Fiesta Bowl game? Kyle would have coached the team to the win easily and you could have denied Urban the W on his resume.

[BoylenOver]

Exactly, it's such a slap in the face. But if he doesn't jump now he's a month behind in recruiting which is completely unacceptable. I'm sure our Ute brethren can sympathize with the Cincy folks. It just feels wrong but I guess players know going in that it's a risk.

Bearcat players are justified in being upset, but they'll be fine for the bowl game. The harder part will be the assistants. Kelly will probably take a few with him to South Bend, while others are interviewing for other jobs.

It makes me grateful Urban stayed for the Fiesta Bowl (even though it was left to a team vote, IIRC).

[Fiyero]

When Florida courted Urban, one of his terms was that he would not be available until the day after the Fiesta, he was very upfront about not wanting to abandon his team before the game. At the time it seemed like the right thing to do, but from what I've heard from players and other contacts on that team, many players pretty much wanted him gone as soon as his announcement was made, and in the end all of the coaching was done by Dan Mullen and Kyle Whittingham anyway.

[SteelBlue]

When Florida courted Urban, one of his terms was that he would not be available until the day after the Fiesta, he was very upfront about not wanting to abandon his team before the game. At the time it seemed like the right thing to do, but from what I've heard from players and other contacts on that team, the players pretty much wanted him gone as soon as his announcement was made, and in the end all of the coaching was done by Dan Mullen and Kyle Whittingham anyway.

That sounds like what the Cincy players are saying too.

The news didn't play well with Kelly's current team. Bearcat players were led into a meeting room, where Kelly told them he was leaving and thanked them for making his opportunity possible. One minute into the meeting, the door opened and receiver Mardy Gilyard walked out angry and alone, save his MVP trophy.

"He went for the money," Gilyard told The Associated Press. "I'm fairly disgusted with the situation, that they let it last this long."

Players weren't told of Kelly's decision until the banquet ended, nearly three hours after the news first broke. A few blinked back tears as they left.

"We already knew what he was going to say. We weren't giving him a round of applause or anything," tight end Ben Guidugli said. "It's like somebody turned their back on us. We brought this whole thing this far. We've come this far. To have someone walk out now is disappointing."

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

That sounds like what the Cincy players are saying too.

Is this as far as he could get with Cincy? I think that is a fair question and something that should be considered when talking about this. Is getting to a BCS game and a top 5 ranking the highest Cincy can hope to aim? Obviously for a MWC school it is, I think that factored some into the feelings not being so negative towards Urban.

[Fiyero]

Is this as far as he could get with Cincy? I think that is a fair question and something that should be considered when talking about this. Is getting to a BCS game and a top 5 ranking the highest Cincy can hope to aim? Obviously for a MWC school it is, I think that factored some into the feelings not being so negative towards Urban.

An 11-1 Notre Dame has a better shot at being voted into the popularity trophy game than an undefeated Big East team does.

[FN Phat]

I think it's kind of BS move to jump right now with your team playing Florida in a BCS bowl game. His players at Cincy are pissed. But I also understand when you're new boss is paying you the money they are you best get your ass in some houses and recruit.

I agree. I don't understand why it can't wait until after the bowl game. Hopefully his players get fired up and bring it to the Gators. I just don't see that happening.