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ESPN 'scoop' on new Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly not news to IrishCentral readers

I made the forecast on Ocotober 18 and have been telling you ever since!

SEAN O' SHEA,

IrishCentral.com Sports Writer

Published Thursday, December 10, 2009, 6:46 PM

Updated Thursday, December 10, 2009, 9:57 PM

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ESPN's 'scoop' on new Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly not news to IrishCentral readers

Brian Kelly will be the Notre Dame coach, ESPN declared about an hour ago. Gee thanks, ESPN, but we had that story first a long time ago – take a look.

Even the San Francisco Chronicle mentioned our reporting when, on Dec. 2, it had a piece about us saying:

"Briefly: IrishCentral.com, an independent site that reports on Notre Dame sports, cited sources saying Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly will replace fired coach Charlie Weis, although Notre Dame said it is just beginning the interview process."

Back on Dec. 2, before anyone else, I wrote the following:

Brian Kelly will be the next head football coach at the University of Notre Dame, informed sources tell IrishCentral.

The source, who is a well-informed person of influence at Notre Dame, says the Cincinnati coach is the preferred choice for the job, and that he is expected to eventually sign a deal.

Kelly is expected to see out the season with his Bowl Championship Series-bound team, and then report for duty at South Bend.

Kelly, a Massachusetts native and proud Irish American, is an obvious choice to take over from the outbound Charlie Weis, given his background and outstanding success with the Cincinnati program.

His name first surfaced at Notre Dame when the Fighting Irish lost to USC in a last-second cliffhanger. From that moment on, Weis' job was under scrutiny, says the source.

Well before that, on Oct. 18 to be exact, I predicted that Kelly would take over from Weis when I posted the following piece:

Brian Kelly should replace Charlie Weis as Notre Dame Coach.

That is the only conclusion I can reach after Weis once again failed to defeat USC, his fifth such loss to them.

Weis was unlucky, but luck has its own way of working out.

Weis has had enough chances - let's get Brian Kelly.

The Massachusetts native (48) has turned the Cincinnati program around in astonishing style, leading them to a first ever Big East title last year.

This year Cincinnati are contenders and give every appearance that they will win the title again.

Notre Dame should try and snap up Kelly before they let another great coach go.

Weis has to go and Kelly should replace him.

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semperfidelis | Dec 11, 2009, 04:01 PM EST

Tip of the hat to you boyo, you sure called this one right on the money.Job well done. Hopefully, Kelly will lead the Irish back to the promised land. College football is much more interesting when ND is in the national title mix. By the way, I think you are right about Jimmy Clausen making a big mistake coming out early. I just don't him having much success in the NFL.

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cchseal2 | Dec 11, 2009, 05:50 AM EST

HOW QUICK THE UC FANS AND TEAM FORGOT THAT UC DID THE SAME THING TO CMU WHEN BK CAME TO CINCINNATI.BUT THE NCAA SHOULD MAKE A RULE AGAINST SCHOOLS CONTACTING COACHS BEFORE THEIR SEASON IS COMPLETE,INCLUDING BOWL GAMES.

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McNabb1966 | Dec 11, 2009, 12:13 AM EST

Congratulations Sean, you definitely scooped everybody else and took plenty of abuse for it. Who's laughing now? lol Brian Kelly has been a winner everywhere he's been and I see no reason at all why he can't turn things around at Notre Dame.

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Rebelforce | Dec 10, 2009, 11:52 PM EST

Good intelligence work Sean. You had this scoop weeks ago. I remember.

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cchseal2 | Dec 10, 2009, 11:34 PM EST

O'SHEA U SUCK JUST AS ND DOES FOR GOING AFTER A COACH WHO HAD A BIG BOWL GAME TO STILL PLAY IN.1 MORE GAME WOULD NOT HAVE MADE THAT MUCH DIFF.TO ND'S PROGRAM

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