Blow the white smoke. The University of Notre Dame has its new head coach.
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported on Thursday that University of Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly was hired as the new head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Kelly, who’s amassed a 171–57–2 record so far in his college coaching career, agreed to a five-year contract with Notre Dame. He coached the Cincinnati Bearcats to a 12-0 record this season, earning them a spot in the Allstate Sugar Bowl and winning College Football Coach of the Year.
Notre Dame’s head coaching job was previously held by Charlie Weis, who had a 35-27 record. Weis was fired on Dec. 1 and Kelly’s name surfaced as a potential candidate shortly afterward. He officially interviewed with the university on Tuesday, Dec. 8.
One sign that Kelly was going to be hired soon came earlier in the morning when ESPN reported that the Cincinnati closed off tonight’s football banquet to the media.
Following the banquet, Kelly reportedly informed his players about his departure to South Bend.
Cincinnati running back Mardy Gilyard told local NBC affiliate WLWT that he and his teammates were upset with Kelly’s decision to leave.
“Hopefully he’ll pack his things and get to South Bend here in a hurry, so we can focus on Florida,” Gilyard said. “We got a Sugar Bowl Championship to win for the city of Cincinnati.”
Kelly will not coach Cincinnati in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Offensive Coordinator Jeff Quinn will assume head coaching duties for the university’s matchup against Florida.
Kelly’s introductory press conference is scheduled for tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 11) at 1:30 p.m. eastern time.
