Brace Yourself, Bearcats

At this point, I feel like Brian Kelly has all but picked out a piece of real estate in South Bend. He may have for all we know. But what I do know, is that I'm getting ready to face the fact that he may never be back on the Nippert sidelines, and leading the Bearcats out of the tunnel at the Sugar Bowl. Donning some Notre Dame navy in a possibility of 72 hours, the Bearcats could have a new Fearless Leader.
Ultimately, do I want Brian Kelly to stay in Cincinnati? Absolutely. He has been a major key to the university accomplishing things it's never done before. He has helped us find our way to two BCS Championship games, two back-to-back Big East titles, and filled Nippert Stadium to the brim in many consecutive games. Not to mention, an undefeated 2009. He is a great coach. It's obvious. He will always be seen as a great coach, but in Cincinnati he'll soon be the great "coach that was." Enjoy the memories we had.
Now, I'm not pushing him out the door, but I'm saying all indicators point to the greener grass at Notre Dame. The main factor I think will play into this decision? Money. Notre Dame is any football coach's dream job. Notre Dame is all about the legacy, years and years of excellence. Notre Dame is the pinnacle of NCAA football. And sure enough, they will most likely shell out any amount of money to bring in wins. Their key to bringing in wins is landing BK. I wouldn't blame him for wanting to go. He goes down in the books as a head coach at Notre Dame. Who wouldn't want that on their resume? At the same time, Notre Dame is also not the school to boost your career if you're a college head coach. Notre Dame expects perfection. If Brian Kelly gives them anything less than that, he'll be a has-been coach in a matter of five years. His genius, his talent, in my opinion cannot be appreciated at a school where winning is all that matters. He will not be appreciated. The continuation of their legacy is what is important, and he is their stepping stone to reach that point. He is only a means by which to achieve their goal.
Since I am pro-BK in Cincinnati, I can honestly find so many more reasons for him to stay. He has made this program more than just a stepping stone. If he leaves, then that statement is completely retracted. We have risen above to stand with the best of the best, we're playing the defending National Champions for crying out loud! When did you ever imagine you would look up on a screen and see a C-Paw versus a Florida Gator. I'll tell you - NEVER. It's overwhelming to see but it's a constant reminder of how good this team that Brian Kelly has led truly is. We are able to compete with the teams built on legacy. We were built on faith. Faith from fans in our team, in our program and in our coach. Kelly is a god here. He is cherished and honored. What he has done has influenced people to donate money to a new practice complex for goodness sake. Which brings me to this - who says we can't be a BCS school? We've made it to a BCS bowl game two years in a row. A Big East school. Who says we can't be the new kid on the block who is going to stick around for years to come? Any college football fan cannot tell me that they want to see OSU, Oklahoma, and Florida in the bowl games year, after year, after year. It's like the Yankees for me. Repetitiveness causes less competition and less excitement in any sport. Why couldn't we become the new in-demand team? A legacy starts somewhere. It could be starting right here, right now in Cincinnati.
How long Coach Kelly could keep a job in South Bend? With the history of past coaches, it might not be long. Kelly could have a lifetime job here. He could have a statue on this campus. He is loved and appreciated here. Hello - someone took the time to write "Please Stay BK" in the snow on the football field. Could there be a more desperate plea? I want him to be here. I want him to see this team through the Sugar Bowl, and through many more years of successful Big East Championships. I want UC to become a dominant force in NCAA football. A respected and highly honorable team. After Kelly's possible departure, it will be hard for me, I'll admit it. I'm not bandwagon. I've been a UC fan and destined to be a Bearcat since before I can remember, and I've been attending games since the age of 13 or 14, watching losing team after losing team in the Conference USA days and the early Big East days. I'll always be a Bearcat, but this will be a very bitter moment for me just as the departure of Huggins was. I'll get through it. Will I forget it? No. If Brian Kelly wants to go, by all means go. I'm done with rumors, I'm done with speculation, get it over with, UC needs to get a new coach, and continue doing what we do best these days - winning. I believe these boys are going to succeed and show you exactly what you could be leaving, BK.