Cincinnati Gators

It appears someone other than Brian Kelly will be coaching the Bearcats when they face off against the Gators in the Sugar Bowl - Jan 1, 2010

Brian Kelly, the football coach who pushed the University of Cincinnati football team into the national spotlight in just three seasons, will take over the head coaching job at the University of Notre Dame.

A member of the UC board of trustees confirmed the news, which was first reported by the South Bend Tribune.

Kelly arrived at the team's banquet on Thursday around 5:45 p.m., escorted by two city police officers. He said "No word, we're here to celebrate our seniors."

UC players and members of the coaching staff said they had not been informed of any decision before the banquet and were waiting to hear more. Kelly was expected to talk at the end of tonight's banquet.

Receiver Mardy Gilyard said players were upset about the situation. He said he got the news from a friend who texted him about 10 minutes before Gilyard arrived for the banquet.

"I feel like there was a little lying in this thing, I feel like he’s known the whole time. I kind of had a gut feeling that he was going to stay because he told me he was going to be here. But it is what it is. He made a business decision," Gilyard said.

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