Ryan Ernst of the CINCINNATI ENQUIRER reports on what UC quarterback Tony Pike said about the prospect of coach Brian Kelly accepting the Notre Dame coaching job before the Bearcats banquet on Thursday:
“He told us from the get-go that we’d be the first people to know whatever he decides,” senior quarterback Tony Pike said Thursday evening before the team banquet. “We’re going to keep him at his word. We’ve trusted him this far and we’re going to believe what he says.”
Oops!
Turns out the UC players were the absolute last to know, relegated to learning the news via ESPN television reports while their former coach slinked around banquet’s host hotel hallways flanked by security guards.
Kelly did not meet with the team before Thursday’s banquet. Most hadn’t seen or heard from him since he met with Notre Dame officials earlier in the week. Seconds later Kelly emerged from the escalator into the hotel’s Gibson Foyer, flanked by two police officers, and walked quickly past Jones. He issued no comment about the Notre Dame job, saying only, “We’re here to celebrate our seniors.”
Funny, those UC seniors didn’t seem all that interested in being associated with Kelly anymore:
“We don’t really care what he has to say anymore,” tight end Ben Guidugli said after a post-banquet team meeting. “He can go talk to his Notre Dame team. We’re ready to move forward with whoever wants to move forward with us. He’s not on the boat anymore, so we’ve got to continue on.”
Several players left that post-banquet team meeting early, including star receiver Mardy Gilyard:
“I didn’t want to hear it. I’m fairly disgusted with the situation — him letting it last this long. … Everybody and their mamma knew what was going on. I feel like he did our team an injustice. Hopefully he’ll pack his things up and get to South Bend in a hurry.”
Defensive lineman Alex Daniels also blew off the team meeting: “We want to make sure (people) still come out and support us. Because we were the ones out there playing every play, every snap. He was just the one calling the plays.”
Honest to god, is it too much to ask for a coach to tell his players he’s leaving before ESPN blares it on monitors before the team’s postseason banquet? Has there ever been a more classless, thoughtless act?
Wait, forgot Charlie Weis‘ final game treatment of the media. And Pete Carroll.
The Irish got their man!
5:37 am on December 11th, 2009
With all due respect, there are two parties to this story: Brian Kelly and Notre Dame. For the last several days, ESPN has had their ticker crawling with blurbs about Kelly and ND. Do we think that Kelly was feeding them all of this information? Or, does ESPN possibly - maybe - could it be that they have someone from Notre Dame that’s leaking them information?! (Queue the “dun, dun, dunnnnn” for dramatic effect) Someone that leaked that there was even an interest in Kelly to begin with. Someone that leaked that ND was very high on Kelly after the interview. Someone that leaked that ND might be interested in Stoops. Edsall.
All I’m saying is that in this day and age when information moves at virtually the speed of light, it’s not improbable to think that Kelly held up his end of the bargain. Let’s see, the interview was on Tuesday. He likely slept on the decision - that makes it Wednesday. Maybe he let’s ND know on Wednesday or Thursday. So, this could’ve been his first meeting with players since formally accepting the job.
I’m just not going to rush to judgment and call the guy ‘classless’. I can understand the players being upset with him leaving at all, but as John Q. Public, I’m going to give the guy the benefit of the doubt until I learn otherwise.
6:28 am on December 11th, 2009
totally agree with boob. im sure he didn’t want it to happen like this. lets hold on your classless talk until we really know what happened. ps what happened to all the other writers on this site that wrote about entertaining stuff.
7:24 am on December 11th, 2009
What I don’t get is why there aren’t some NCAA regulations related to coach hiring. Now you have a BCS team who is pissed about their coach playing in a BCS game. Coaching decisions like this should be made after the bowl season. Although it’s close, it’s still not the pros.
7:36 am on December 11th, 2009
I wouldnt say it was classless. ESPN has been hounding this story all week. Kelly expected to tell his players at the end of the banquet. Its not his fault the media blew up his spot before he could tell them. Of course his players were upset and of course the media was there agian to shove a mic in the face of each of them after they just found out. Mardy Gilyard was also quoted as saying he understood this was a business and Kelly made a business decision.
7:51 am on December 11th, 2009
As a WVU fan and alum, i really feel for Cinci. This is worse however, arguelbly before the biggest game of this programs existence and this chub bolts, hes one helluva coach, but alot less of a man. And ND, so much for being the standard bearer of collegiate football, they should be ashamed….TD Jesus was offically renames TD Judas!
8:20 am on December 11th, 2009
I don’t get what all the secrect is about. If Notre Dame is recruiting me and I’m interested, saying so doesn’t hurt my negotiations unless I say I’ll do whatever it takes to coach ND. Why can’t he just say, “Sure, I’m interested, provided the situation is better than the one I can put together in Cincinnati.”
How is such a statement harmful?
8:57 am on December 11th, 2009
This is a great website but the healines are often pedestrian if not amatuerish.
9:11 am on December 11th, 2009
Ye…sorry Brian Kelly is not “classless” … he was offered a contract, he was probably forced to make a decision before the bowl games. It is what it is.
9:17 am on December 11th, 2009
Are we going to call classless, the players who bolt early for greener pastures, many who should not be in college in the first place? Recruiting is the lifeblood of college coaching. Kelly may not have ever had a shot at ND again(who I can’t stand). I can’t say I blame him for leaving Cincy, he has to get recruiting, like it or not.
9:21 am on December 11th, 2009
As a Notre Dame fan I would have been pretty dissapointed had he taken the job, but remained with UC until after the bowl game. This is prime recruiting season, and every other program has been attempting to snipe the ND recruits since mid-season. ND could not afford to not have a coach for another month, and Kelly could not afford to be off the recruiting trail either.
10:08 am on December 11th, 2009
Completely classless move by Kelly. That team gave him all they had this year. Yes he was the mastermind of the scheme, but it was those players that were responsible for making him look good. The way that they performed over the last two years gave Kelly the shine and profile to even show up on Notre Dame’s radar to begin with. That team played it’s heart out last week in cold, snowy Pittsburgh to keep their dreams alive.
And after all that, he turns his back on, and walks out on that team before the biggest game in the history of the program. Absolutely disgusting.
10:17 am on December 11th, 2009
Hey, posters - this isn’t a unique incident that you can attribute to ESPN or pressure from ND since he did the exact same thing last time. It’s pattern behavior from Kelly.
Actually I’m surprised he took the job, as I just don’t see substantial improvement in career trajectory by jumping to ND. (Given the NFL is the ultimate destination) Unless Clausen and Tate change up and stay around, he might have even set himself back ~2 years while he rebuilds from the ground up.
Whatever… Domers should understand that he’ll likely bail to the NFL before one of their big bowl games, too.
10:36 am on December 11th, 2009
Boohoo all UC fans. Quite crying about Kelly and face the fact that UC is just a stepping stone. Had Kelly decided to stay, he would have been treated like a King. But, since he decided to further his career at one of the finest schools in the nation, you all turn your backs on him. Shame on you! GO IRISH!!!!!!
10:38 am on December 11th, 2009
At some point you just need to come out and say, “I hate all things Notre Dame”. It’s pathetic how often you harp on anything ND-related.
For these players to think that Kelly was going to stay at a school that has a 35,000 seat stadium and only so much money to spend is naive.
To call Kelly classless is just that, classless. Being the supposed sportswriter that you are, you should know how the business of college football works: LIKE A BUSINESS!!
10:40 am on December 11th, 2009
Also, for the people who say shame on ND, get a clue. You absolutely need to have a coach in place for recruiting purposes. Both to keep players already verbally committed and to get out on the road and bring in other players. To think that ND has some duty to kids from another school, or the other school itself, is naive as well. ND, or any other school for that matter, needs to look out for themselves.
11:01 am on December 11th, 2009
Pretty hard ND +ve spin, Reece, but you’re allowed yours…
ND missed a few weeks in prime recruiting season by not having anybody in place, but they’ve been crippled on recruiting for quite a while. Not to say anything about the massive -ve PR this year over Charlie. So doesn’t Swarbrick have the big role in this whole thing being a mess by not dumping Charlie earlier and getting somebody else lined up? I put the loss of Nick Montana to UW in June in this category.
11:19 am on December 11th, 2009
Justin,
This has to be your internet personality. You can’t possibly be this ignorant in real life.
Nobody blames Kelly for wanting to coach at Notre Dame. It’s a dream job for some. That’s not the issue.
The issue is him being dishonest about his intentions to stay at UC, accepting the job at ND, and then telling his team that he is turning his back on them at a team banquet of all places. The banquet is supposed to be about accomplishment, and recognizing the acheivements of a great season thus far. Not for your coach to tell you that he’s bailing on you. Especially not before the biggest game in the history of the program. He knew he was foul for what he did and was about to do. That’s why he was walking around the banquet surrounded by security.
Again. The issue isn’t the decision. It’s the timing, and delivery.
1:00 pm on December 11th, 2009
Yet another example of corruption in the NCAA (along with their hypocritical rules about players and money when they’re the ones being exploited for money, and their complete unwillingness to do a playoff system so they can continue to exploit).
In the NFL (and every other sports league) this would be illegal because it would be called “tampering” and have stiff accompanying fines to go with it. Yet with the NCAA it’s completely allowed. How can anyone be allowed to hire a coach from another team before the season is over for that team???
The NCAA SUCKS.
1:02 pm on December 11th, 2009
I watched the first ESPN reports including comments from Cincinatti players and had to wonder why they were upset about Kelly not telling them he was leaving. Other than the fact that he wasn’t offered the job until this week they need to get a grip. There isn’t one player on the Cincinatti team that wouldn’t jump at a chance to go to the NFL early early for big bucks. They should also realize that when they came to Cincinatti they didn’t have a clue that Kelly would take them to a level no player in the history of the school ever even dreamed they would reach. They got there because of Kelly. Players don’t get where Cincy is without an outstanding coach. They should be elated at where he took him and not POed that he accepted a job at a school far beyond and above Cincinatti in the college football world. They should be thanking him and thinking about the fact that it ain’t over for them yet. They have a chance to make big time history in their bowl game. They should be getting that game into focus instead of bitching in front of ESPN cameras. Justin, find another sport-you’re clueless!
1:23 pm on December 11th, 2009
LGNats, I appreciate your point of view as well, but I really don’t think I need to put a positive spin on how ND handled this. They needed a coach, and waiting around would have been nothing but a detriment to the program. As I said above, ND has to worry about themselves, and no one else. Morals don’t come into play in a situation like this.
BTW, losing Montana was really not a big loss. I didn’t see him cracking the lineup anyway, especially if we can keep Hendrix from changing his commitment. Losing Martin, on the other hand, was a big loss. With that being said, I think he was gone no matter when Charlie was let go. Believe it or not, Weis was a big reason why a lot of these kids wanted to come to ND. I know it’s hard to believe.
1:26 pm on December 11th, 2009
Question for all of those people who think ND was at fault here. Do you feel the same way about Louisville and the other schools that are hiring away coaches from teams that have yet to play in their bowl games?
I didn’t think so.
1:26 pm on December 11th, 2009
Don Sullivan.
Like they say on ESPN’s NFL segment, C’mon man.
You cannot compare Kelly bolting Cincinnati like a player bolting for the NFL.
What Kelly did would be the equivalent of Mark Ingram or Colt McCoy foregoing the National Championship game, and leaving school to begin to preparation for the NFL combine and draft.
The concept here is going over your head obviously. The issue is NOT, IS NOT him leaving Cincinnati to coach at Notre Dame. The issue is him turning his back and walking away from a team that has given him everything, before the biggest game in school history and their lives.
It’s a damn shame that he did not have the integrity to at least finish what he started in Cincinnati. Then his team could have possibly beaten Florida, and given him a proper send-off to South Bend.
You dance with the girl that brought you to the party. Period.
2:09 pm on December 11th, 2009
Believe me, I get the ND “branding” has a big draw. I just really couldn’t stand Charlie and think he personally took (or was given) credit where it wasn’t really due to him. Rode it all the way to the bank, too.
Anyway, what’s done is done re: Kelly, and several here have made the point that this strategy is not uncommon. Can’t say I think it’s fair, but I don’t like players jumping programs to go pro early either.
NCAA could do something about it if they wanted, but they’re an outhouse mess of conflicting priorities already, so the medicine’s bound to be worse than the illness.
I’ll be looking for the rise of ND football again and hope that UC can move beyond their loss quickly and win the Sugar Bowl….
3:28 pm on December 11th, 2009
I absolutely hope UC beats UF. I completely understand why people are upset that Kelly is leaving, his players in particular. That being said, college football is business these days, now more than ever. People can’t be surprised anymore when coaches leave schools. It is happening more often and will continue to.
I’m just happy that we got him and he can now start recruiting and saving some of our already verbally committed recruits.
3:47 pm on December 11th, 2009
The point is not that he’s leaving… the point is that he’s leaving BEFORE his season with his current team is over! Cincy is still undefeated and still has a shot at a huge bowl game win and possible share of the national championship, yet their coach has already been hired by another university before the bowl game is even played and is therefore a lame duck.
Why can’t this wait until AFTER the friggin’ season is over??? It’s less than a month away, yet they absolutely have to hire the guy NOW??? Why are there no NCAA rules regarding this???
The people at fault aren’t Kelly or ND or the players… it’s the NCAA for not policing this kind of thing.
4:20 pm on December 11th, 2009
“I’m not going to be the next Alabama coach.”
–Nick Saban (the next Alabama coach)
5:56 pm on December 11th, 2009
I dont think this job as coach of ND is one too many people should be so excited about. They havent been worth a damn for years. I agree Cinci is just like WVU, they are both just a stepping stone. The timing is complete BS why wouldnt he want to coach a BCS game? Maybe he knows how bad they will get beat by the Florida Tebows?
6:29 pm on December 11th, 2009
It makes me sick to see some fat rich guy who already makes too much money on the back of some college kids ditching them before the biggest game of their lives. You reap what you sow…
6:59 pm on December 11th, 2009
If college football is a business, when are they going to start paying the players.
1:45 am on December 12th, 2009
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!
You guys crack me up. “Whoa now lets not rush to judgement here” GTFOH!!!!!!!!!! These writers and posters always rush to judgement and you guys always have something to say or add to it. Now since its this guy you shouldnt judge? ‘
What else do you need to know besides this man told his team he wasnt going anywhere took another job and didnt tell them. Thats scumbag material. Now whatever brain function you wanna use to pretend its something other than that be my guest.
Its pretty obvious who gets jumped on and who gets a pass.
A stand up guy says look guys I’ve got a big decision to make after this bowl game The only thing I can promise is I’m gonna coach this game then we’ll see what happens.
That tells the team that he’s taking the ND job but has enough respect for the kids and program to at least finish out the season.
2:24 am on December 12th, 2009
Anyone who leaves like this deserves to be called out. Maybe it was the right professional/personal move for Kelly, but he deserves flack for it. It’s the definition of classless. If you find yourself arguing this point you’ve got some poor character yourself.
2:21 pm on December 12th, 2009
For those of you with bad memories, Urban Meyer accepted the Florida job before Utah’s bowl game, but had the integrity to stay and finish the job before he left. And him not being on the recruiting trail for a month while he finished up with Utah obviously didn’t hurt the Gators one bit.
All you that are defending Kelly for this completely classless act can sit down now.
7:40 pm on December 12th, 2009
The question I hoped someone would have asked Brian Kelly at the Notre Dame Press Conference is 3 Years from now when Notre Dame is 12-0 because they played all the cupcakes they can find (Army, Navy,Tulsa, Western Michigan ect all on the 2010 schedule) and there going to a BSC bowl game and the New England Patriots call and offer him the Head Coaching Position Interview does he do the interview and leave before the big game or does he finish the job and show a little loyalty to the players that got him to that 12-0 season and do the interview after their season is complete? I Think we know the answer to that question don’t we ??? My friend’s son is on the UC bearcats and the players were assured by Kelly them that he wasnt anywhere and that if he changed his mind they would know before anyone. So Mr Class shows up at the sports banquet to celebrate their Big East Championship at the Westin Hotel in downtown Cincy and calls them into a room and tells them that he is leaving for ND. Put yourself in those players shoes what if that had happened at Notre Dame? Is that who you really want coaching the Irish. Be careful what you wish for you might just get it.
10:31 pm on December 12th, 2009
With maybe one or two exceptions, the Cincy players are just upset that their future is putting fries in bags or selling used cars and that future is getting closer by the day. They simply are not that important and will understand if they ever have a chance to be promoted. What crybabies.
10:46 pm on December 12th, 2009
What a douchebag! The biggest game in UC history and chance to be one of 3 undefeated teams in the whole nation and this coward bails. He was not man enough to tell his players upfront about his intentions. He shows up with police escort. What a spineless jellyfish. I do NOT have any affiliation with UC, but I feel for that program. I hope Kelly chokes on a chode at Notre Dame.
9:09 am on December 13th, 2009
So Joe,
With that said, I guess you should be expecting an influx of new co-workers pretty soon then.
11:10 pm on December 13th, 2009
It’s pretty sad that a coach can quit on his team in their finest moment in history. These players spilled their guts out for a coach they thought believed in them, only to turn his back on them. Take Rich Rodriguez. It made me mad seeing him on the sidelines of Lloyd Carr’s final game, like a buzzard waiting on the road kill. What has happened to pride and loyalty? The NCAA really needs to look at the hiring and interviewing process for coaches. It’s a huge business for coaches. They get to pick and choose when they leave, for how much. The players get screwed if they happen to make a dollar on the side.
There is something terribly wrong with college sports.
5:23 pm on December 14th, 2009
I just think it’s pretty unfair to the players. Although these guys tuition is paid for, the players of these teams go to these schools mainly cause of the coaches. The players and their families buy into the bull these coaches preach to get them to come to the school and play their hearts out for them, makes the school TONS of money and all they get is a stab in the back cause they cannot work during the school year. The NCAA wants these kids to hold up to their end of the contract but allows these coaches to shit on the players when a better paying job comes along. I think the UC players should go to the bowl game have a good time, at game time go out shake the hands of the Florida players and then as a team all go out on the field and SIT DOWN! As a protest to the NCAA to not allow these coaches to do this to these KIDS! It would make history in the college football world and it would also hurt the pockets of the people who profit from these student athletes!!! GO UC!!!!!
11:13 am on January 2nd, 2010
I just found this thread after watching FLA dismantle UC last night. I wonder if Kelly watched the game. If he felt guilty watching his kids get gutted in front of a national TV audience because he threw them to the wolves? If Urabn Meyer could work it out with FLA to let him finish out his bowl game obligation with Utah,and being a guy who insists that accomplishing anything is possible to his players, there is only one reason why he couldn’t do the same & coach this Bowl game. He didn’t want to. Shame on you Kelly. You have no honor. Even more shame on the NCAA for not policing these things to protect the kids who are the victims.