Cincinnati players last to know about Kelly's departure.

[Woy]

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/...00073/1064/Bearcat+players+among+last+to+know

CINCINNATI - While the story broke of Cincinnati football coach Brian Kelly’s departure, his players recited the company line, which Kelly himself had provided.

“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.”

As it turns out, Kelly’s players were among the last to know. And by the end of the evening, plenty of them were voicing their displeasure.

"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."

• Brian Kelly headed to Notre Dame
• Who will be UC's next coach?
• Dec. 4, 2006: UC hires Brian Kelly
• Kelly backed up his words
• Photos: Brian Kelly's farewell
• Photos: Brian Kelly at UC

Several players, including loquacious standout receiver Mardy Gilyard, left the team meeting early. Gilyard was in the room for less than a minute.

"I didn't want to hear it," he said. "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."

School officials allowed select players to speak one-at-a-time to the media before the event, held Downtown at the Westin Hotel. As the cocktail hour wore on, news of Kelly’s deal with Notre Dame – being reported by several media outlets – began to permeate.

Still, many of the players still held out hope the rumors were false.

“We’re anxious and eager,” senior quarterback Tony Pike said. “We listen to the radio and the news just as much as everyone else. It’s probably a little harder on us, because we’re getting the calls from our friends and family, wanting to know what’s really happening. It’s hard, because we don’t know either.”

Kelly, who posted a 24-5 record in three seasons at UC, led the Bearcats to back-to-back BCS bowls including a New Year’s Day meeting with Florida in the Sugar Bowl.

While Gilyard spoke to the media about the upcoming game, defensive lineman Alex Daniels also walked out on the meeting.

"We want to make sure (people) still come out and support us," Daniels said. "Because we were the ones out there playing every play, every snap. He was just the one calling the plays."

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. Still, the players selected by the school sports information department to speak with the media – Pike, junior running back John Goebel and senior defensive back Brad Jones – said they had no ill feelings about the situation.

By the time Jones approached the horde of reporters – around 5:45 p.m. – he had heard the news.

“The story broke on ESPN, that he’s going to take the job at Notre Dame,” Jones said. “But you can’t blame him. It’s a great program with a lot of prestige. And they’re going to pay him a substantial amount of money.”

“… He’s got to make decisions for himself. I’m content and I’m worried about beating Florida. He can do his thing at Notre Dame and we’re going to take care of business here.”

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.”

 

[steeljake]

money > loyalty.

 

[ralaw]

When it comes to coaching there is no loyalty, as it is simply a job. I'm always dumbfounded when people cry over a coach leaving a program, because when is it a good time to leave? Regardless of when you leave you'll be leaving behind a host of players that thought you'd be there their entire career. You really can’t fault these coaches for not “telling the players first” either, because these days the media always seems to find these stories out. Kelly’s name has been mentioned for this job before Weis was fired, and given the fact that Kelly never came out and said, “I don’t want the job” what do you expect? This is the system and players should learn to get use to it.

 

[steeljake]

actually he came out and said he did want the job. I am not siding with the players at all here. They knew he wanted the job, they knew he was interviewing, they knew he was a good coach. what the fuck did they expect to happen?

 

[Sven Draconian]

actually he came out and said he did want the job. I am not siding with the players at all here. They knew he wanted the job, they knew he was interviewing, they knew he was a good coach. what the fuck did they expect to happen?

They expected to be told by Kelly before ESPN.

Kelly treated them like shit in the end, it's not a surprise. Coaches leave without a ton of ill feelings because they handle it the right way. Kelly didn't. He's a scumbag (I thought this before the story ever broke).

 

[steeljake]

how do we know kelly wasnt attempting to tell them when some news hound broke the stroy?

 

[ultfrisbee]

So will he remain the HC for the rest of the season? If so, good luck with the playoffs...

 

[jHammack]

I personally disagree with how he handled the situation. First off, two years ago Brian Kelly went on the record and said I don't understand why a coach would build a program just to leave for a program in worse shape. So BK what the fuck are you doing right now? You left an undefeated Cincy team, for a 6-6 Notre Dame team that just lost its two best offensive weapons? Not to mention the way the University was embracing Kelly and his team. They sold out their allotment for the Sugar Bowl in 10 minutes, they are trying to expand their stadium, they've already broke ground on a new state of the art practice facility, and then you leave? They were going to give you anything you wanted and you leave for a program that has a standard in ripping coaches no matter how well they might have done.


I just don't get the move. The only thing I can think of is, well obviously the amount of money that Notre Dame was going to offer, but the other thing would have to be building ND back into a national power. Obviously, I've read it's his dream job, but when are people going to realize that Notre Dame is not the great Notre Dame anymore? I love the tradition there, it's a great school and I hate them (Being a Pitt fan), but when this program has failed under the last 3 coaches, why would you think you can change it?

I wish Kelly good luck, because I do think he was a great coach, I mean look at the success Cincy has had. But the way he did this to his team and the program was wrong. Don't say that you won't leave a program that you built to go to a program in worse condition if you're going to do it. It was classless imo.

 

[steeljake]

So will he remain the HC for the rest of the season? If so, good luck with the playoffs...

ummm what? this isnt marvin lewis they are talking about...

 

[JeremyHight]

It wasn't Kelly who told ESPN and broke the story, it was some unnamed source/s on the ND side. To blame it on Kelly that some other people told ESPN before he could have a team meeting is ridiculous.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

He went into the student-athletes award ceremony and thanked his players for getting him the ND job.

I know coaching is basically a mercenary job these days (not to all, though...look at a guy like Jim Leavitt)...but saying that to your players is pretty fucked up and lacks tact.

 

[padman59]

I personally disagree with how he handled the situation. First off, two years ago Brian Kelly went on the record and said I don't understand why a coach would build a program just to leave for a program in worse shape. So BK what the fuck are you doing right now? You left an undefeated Cincy team, for a 6-6 Notre Dame team that just lost its two best offensive weapons? Not to mention the way the University was embracing Kelly and his team. They sold out their allotment for the Sugar Bowl in 10 minutes, they are trying to expand their stadium, they've already broke ground on a new state of the art practice facility, and then you leave? They were going to give you anything you wanted and you leave for a program that has a standard in ripping coaches no matter how well they might have done.


I just don't get the move. The only thing I can think of is, well obviously the amount of money that Notre Dame was going to offer, but the other thing would have to be building ND back into a national power. Obviously, I've read it's his dream job, but when are people going to realize that Notre Dame is not the great Notre Dame anymore? I love the tradition there, it's a great school and I hate them (Being a Pitt fan), but when this program has failed under the last 3 coaches, why would you think you can change it?

I wish Kelly good luck, because I do think he was a great coach, I mean look at the success Cincy has had. But the way he did this to his team and the program was wrong. Don't say that you won't leave a program that you built to go to a program in worse condition if you're going to do it. It was classless imo.

Who cares what he said a few years ago? Seriously. I don't understand the flack that coaches take for some of the stuff they say. Throwing players/coaches under the bus and the like is one thing, but saying that you don't intend on leaving a program and being lambasted when you do is ludicrous IMO. What is he supposed to say? "I like coaching here, but this is only a résumé builder. I have no intention of staying if and when a larger program comes knocking." Maybe it's as simple as his dream job opening up and being offered the job.

 

[Archer]

I personally disagree with how he handled the situation. First off, two years ago Brian Kelly went on the record and said I don't understand why a coach would build a program just to leave for a program in worse shape. So BK what the fuck are you doing right now? You left an undefeated Cincy team, for a 6-6 Notre Dame team that just lost its two best offensive weapons? Not to mention the way the University was embracing Kelly and his team. They sold out their allotment for the Sugar Bowl in 10 minutes, they are trying to expand their stadium, they've already broke ground on a new state of the art practice facility, and then you leave? They were going to give you anything you wanted and you leave for a program that has a standard in ripping coaches no matter how well they might have done.


I just don't get the move. The only thing I can think of is, well obviously the amount of money that Notre Dame was going to offer, but the other thing would have to be building ND back into a national power. Obviously, I've read it's his dream job, but when are people going to realize that Notre Dame is not the great Notre Dame anymore? I love the tradition there, it's a great school and I hate them (Being a Pitt fan), but when this program has failed under the last 3 coaches, why would you think you can change it?

I wish Kelly good luck, because I do think he was a great coach, I mean look at the success Cincy has had. But the way he did this to his team and the program was wrong. Don't say that you won't leave a program that you built to go to a program in worse condition if you're going to do it. It was classless imo.

Not to mention the way the University was embracing Kelly and his team

Yeah they really embraced it in the orange bowl too .... you know when they couldn't even give away free tickets to the game

but when are people going to realize that Notre Dame is not the great Notre Dame anymore?

Notre Dame is still the same , all be it less talented than in the past . It's still a HUGE job for a coach .

but when this program has failed under the last 3 coaches, why would you think you can change it?

Because you believe in yourself? What a stupid question

Kelly comes across to me as a douche but to blame him for going to ND is a bit dumb imo .... it's all part of the buisness that they are in . He made it clear that he had intrest in ND and it wasn't even him who broke the story . As far as we know he was going to tell his players before the press announced it officially

 

[Woy]

It seems to me that the Big East is now just becoming a stepping-stone towards bigger, more prestigious jobs.

Brian Kelly: Cincy -> ND
Rich Rod: WVU -> Michigan
Bobby Petrino: Louisville -> Atlanta Falcons
Mark Dantonio: Cincy -> Michigan State (granted, MSU isn't a top tier job but it's still a move to a higher conference)

Then you have Randy Edsall from UConn looking at other jobs as well and I wouldn't be surprised to see Greg Schiano coaching a different school in 3-4 years.

 

[ultfrisbee]

ummm what? this isnt marvin lewis they are talking about...

Damn, nevermind what I said, I was fucked up

 

[BUCK3YE5]

fuck brian kelly he can burn in hell.

The worst part about this whole thing is that he actually will bring ND back to prominence.

 

[Esjay]

Getting upset at the coach in this situation is so stupid imo. Besides what Larry said, which is insensitive to say the least and most likely the worst possible thing to say to your players.

Every single one of you would take the Notre Dame job as well. It's all about money and to a lot of coaches, establishing their legacy. Kelly wants to lead Notre Dame back into prominence, I don't blame him. He would be revered there forever.

 

[jHammack]

I have no problem with Kelly taking the job but I don't think he did it in the right way nor do I feel someone who says they want to build a program should build it not coach 3 years and leave. Personally idc that he left for ND cause I would have Done the same but not the same way he did it. You don't sit there for three hours and not tell your team.

 

[Woy]

Schiano has actually been pretty loyal to Rutgers. He was a front runner for the Michigan job awhile back but didn't take it. I really think he is happy where he is.

Had the Miami job offered to him too. I just think he'll jump ship to a more prestigious program sooner or later.

 

[Esjay]

I have no problem with Kelly taking the job but I don't think he did it in the right way nor do I feel someone who says they want to build a program should build it not coach 3 years and leave. Personally idc that he left for ND cause I would have Done the same but not the same way he did it. You don't sit there for three hours and not tell your team.

What do you expect him to say with regards to building the program? Is he going to say, 'well to tell you the truth if a better job opens up I'm leaving?' that would never go well. He said what he had too.

How he told the players is another story and I agree with you on that.