With all the names circulating about the possible replacements for the soon to be fired Charlie Weis none are a better fit than Brian Kelly of Cincinnati. Brian Kelly has been a head coach at the college level for the last 18 years. He has moved up the ranks the hard way. By winning football games and hard work. Kelly is exactly what Weis is not, a true leader and motivator. Here is a recap of his career to this point.
1991-2003 Grand Valley State (NCAA Division II)
Started as a Grad Assistant in 1987. Became the Defensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator in 1989. Took over as head coach in 1991. The Lakers never finished lower than 3rd in the conference under Kelly.
- 118-35-2 Overall record
- 2 National Championships
- 41-2 his last 3 seasons
- 2002 & 2003 NCAA Div II Coach of the Year
- The 2001 team set 77 NCAA, GLIAC, and school records, including setting the all-time Division II scoring record, averaging 58.4 points per game
2004-2006 Central Michigan (MAC)
When Kelly arrived Central Michigan had not had a winning season in 7 years. The Chippewas had not won more than 3 games the previous 4 years. They were as down as a team can be. Enter Brian Kelly, In his first season he started the turnaround. Winning 4 games and changing the culture around the team. In 2005 He led Cent. Mich to their first winning season in 7 years. In 2006 He led them to their 1st MAC Championship since 1994 and 1st Bowl Bid since ‘94 and only the 3rd in school history. He did not coach the Bowl game as he left for Cincinnati. Central Michigan beat Middle Tennessee State 31-14.
- 2004- 4-7 (3-5) 5th place MAC
- 2005- 6-5 (5-3) 4th place MAC
- 2006- 9-4 (7-1) Champions MAC- Motor City Bowl Bid
- 19-16 Overall
After a successful stint moving from Division II Grand Valley State to D-1 Central Michigan Kelly moved up the coaching totem pole again. This time he landed in a BCS conference the BIG EAST.
2007-Present Cincinatti (BIG EAST)
Kelly Inherited a Cincinnati team that went 18-17 from 2004 to 2006. The same time he was a game better with Central Michigan. In 2006 Cincinnati went 7-5 under then coach Mark Dantonio who left to coach Michigan State. Kelly took over Cincinnati before the 2006 International Bowl vs Western Michigan. Kelly lead the Bearcats to a 27-24 win. The first of many wins he would bring to Cincinnati.
With a better foundation in place it took Kelly no time at all to turn Cincinnati from a good team into a great team.
2007: In his first full season in 2007, Kelly led Cincinnati to a competitive position in the Big East; the Bearcats’ second ever 10-win season (its first since 1949); and a Top 25 ranking. On December 5, 2007, Kelly was named Big EastCoach of the Year after leading his Bearcats to a 9-3 record. Kelly later led the Bearcats to a victory in the PapaJohns.com Bowl over Southern Miss.
2008: Kelly led Cincinnati to its first ever outright Big East title with key wins over West Virginia and Pittsburgh. The Bearcats had never defeated either team in Big East conference play. Kelly also became the first coach to win all three of the Bearcats’ traveling trophies: the Victory Bell, the Keg of Nails, and the Paddlewheel Trophy. The Bearcats played in the Orange Bowl versus the ACC champion, Virginia Techon January 1, 2009 but lost 20-7. It was Cincinnati’s first ever BCS bowl game.
2009: Kelly has led Cincinnati to a 10-0 record and are ranked #5 in the country. That is the highest ranking ever for the Bearcats. Cincinnati is in contention to play for the BCS National Championship. Cincinnati has 2 games left this season, and has Cincy on the brink of another BIG EAST Championship and BCS birth. Up to this point, here are his numbers at Cincy…
- 32-6 Overall record 16-4 in the BIG EAST
- 2008 BIG EAST Champions
- 2007 & 2008 BIG EAST Coach of the Year
- 2008 Orange Bowl appearance
- 2009 #5 in the Nation at 10-0
Kelly has also recruited like a madman. Bringing top quality talent to a non-traditional football school. He had QB Tony Pike in Heisman contention until a broken arm sidelined him for half of the season.
Kelly coached teams feature an up tempo offense. A balanced attack that is designed to wear defenses out. His defensive mentality is 60 minutes. Meaning the defense prepares as if they are going to be on the field for 60 minutes and will not wear down as the game moves on. This unique attitude and approach is a perfect fit for Notre Dame. With the amount of talent on the Notre Dame Roster Kelly will have this team competing very quickly. Have I mentioned that Brian Kelly is Irish Catholic. Not a bad fit there either. No one else need apply. ND needs to hire Kelly ASAP.
While Kelly has been going 32-6 at Cincinatti, Charlie Weis has a 26-23 record at Notre Dame.
Kelly is a winner. He has worked his way all the way up the coaching ladder. He is the man to lead Notre Dame back to the forefront of College Football.
