Kelly to Tennessee?

It's getting quiet at Cincinnati. Too quiet.

This is what usually happens when something major is about to pop. Everyone is told to keep their mouths shut. Assistants are making discreet calls trying to find new jobs. Such is the case around the Cincinnati where Tennessee seemingly has settled on coach Brian Kelly as its top candidate to replace to Phil Fulmer.

This is not to say Kelly is definitely the guy but I got a couple of calls today saying his name had risen to the top at Rocky Top.

Kelly would be a great hire. He's got the attitude and ability to walk into the cauldron that is SEC recruiting. He's a quarterback specialist. Cincinnati has had to use something like four quarterbacks this season.

A couple of issues here: Cincinnati's season doesn't end until Dec. 6, so if word is out this early it could get really uncomfortable at Cincinnati which is chasing a Big East title. Can you say interim coach for the bowl game?

Lilyummy Reputation: 28 Level: Rookie Since: Nov 20, 2008	Posted on: November 20, 2008 8:47 am Score: 47 Kelly to Tennessee? Did you ever think maybe things are quiet in Cincinnati as Coach Kelly prepares for the biggest game of UC Football in the last 25 years. [ Reply to Comment ]
freakyhooligan Reputation: 85 Level: All-Star Since: Nov 16, 2006	Posted on: November 20, 2008 9:21 am Score: 88 Kelly to Tennessee? 11/18: A source told me that Tennessee is ready to make "a major spash" with its next hire. That seems to eliminate assistant coaches like Texas' Will Muschamp. That also could eliminate a Brian Kelly at Cincinnati. I love Kelly and think he's a short-timer at Cincy but he doesn't qualify as a major splash. 11/19: This is not to say Kelly is definitely the guy but I got a couple of calls today saying his name had risen to the top at Rocky Top. 11/20: Dude, did I say this was the big splash? Your sources should get together and decide what info to leak and why they want to leak it. You also need to decide which sources are worth believing/reporting. Yes, it's still reporting even though it's a blog. I think your sources are using you. [ Reply to Comment ]
nashvilledod Reputation: 30 Level: Rookie Since: Nov 1, 2008	Posted on: November 20, 2008 9:25 am Score: 14 Kelly to Tennessee? Mental note*****Dodd doesn't know shi# [ Reply to Comment ]
scottmschoen Reputation: 35 Level: Rookie Since: Nov 20, 2008	Posted on: November 20, 2008 9:32 am Score: 32 Kelly to Tennessee? Kelly has been and built a winner everywhere he has been. He turned Grand Valley into a powerhouse, Central Michigan from a doormat to a MAC contender every year, and Cincinnatti into Big East Champs. As a Grand Valley Alumn and Michigan fan, I wish Michigan would have hired him! They wouldn't be 3-8 about to be 3-9 if he was there. I guarantee that! Two names: 1) Urban Myer 2) Jim Tressel Both started at small programs and have turned their schools into national champions within just a few years. Give Kelly 2 years and they will be back in the SEC Title discussions. His offenses are explosive and fun to watch. Watch out Urban their might be a new kid in town! [ Reply to Comment ]
redraider Reputation: 69 Level: Pro Since: Sep 24, 2006	Posted on: November 20, 2008 9:32 am Score: 64 Kelly to Tennessee? I am going with under. He has been brutal this year. [ Reply to Comment ]
RJP11 Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 28, 2007	Posted on: November 20, 2008 10:27 am Score: 83 Moonshine ... you've got to be kidding .... why in the world would you want Fulmer at Tennessee going forward. For all that he, Cut & Chavis accomplished together in the mid-to-late 90s it's been obvious for some years now that those days are waaaaay over. If you seriously want to keep Fulmer, you are not a UT fan, you are a Fulmer fan. NOBODY is bigger than our program & its wellbeing ... NOBODY. It's a shame ... but it's also time. PS - To TheGreek, I just stopped hating you solely because you are a Gaytor fan ... thanks for the nice post. [ Reply to Comment ]
WVUAlum92 Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 18, 2006	Posted on: November 20, 2008 10:38 am Score: 93 Kelly to Tennessee? If Tennessee doesn't take Kelly, you can bet that some other major program will. There are few coaches around who could deal with the injury problems, especially at quarterback, that Kelly has dealt with this season and still have that team in control of its own fate for a BCS bid. Kelly is one of the hottest prospects out there. [ Reply to Comment ]
antheman Reputation: 91 Level: All-Star Since: Feb 4, 2007	Posted on: November 20, 2008 10:52 am Score: 74 Kelly to Tennessee? Kelly is a great coach! I'm suprised he has stayed here this long! Before the Huggins firing, I would have been pissed at this news. But there is no loyalty in sports, especially at UC! Good luck to Coach Kelly! Maybe now Kelly will realize why UC football doesn't sell out! The fans know that UC is a stepping stone job to a bigger job and the program [ Reply to Comment ]
bluegrass313 Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Nov 3, 2006	Posted on: November 20, 2008 11:06 am Score: 90 Kelly to Tennessee? Your ignorance has splattered all over this thread. [ Reply to Comment ]
TxTech75214 Reputation: 69 Level: Pro Since: Oct 25, 2008	Posted on: November 20, 2008 11:28 am Score: 42 Kelly to Tennessee? I got news for you: Leach ain't going anywhere.. Why would he leave the #2 team in the country to go to a school with a much worse football program... If fact, here is a link to an article written on sportsline a couple weeks ago about how Leach isn't going anywhere http://www.sportsline.com/collegefo otball/story/11087435 Its kind of funny that all these schools think Leach would just up and leave Texas Tech just because there is another job opening... Get a life people.... Perhaps your football program isn't as good as you think it is.... Here is a quote from the above referrenced article just in case you are too lazy to read it yourself.. "Why would Leach be "highly interested in the UW job" -- or in Clemson, Auburn, Tennessee or any of the jobs that pop open in the next month or two? Any job that comes open, unless it's Southern California or Oklahoma and the old coach left for the NFL, will have inherent flaws, most notably this one: That place just got its last coach fired. Why would Leach, coaching one of the best teams in America, leave what he has for that? Most big-time jobs that come open are open for the most basic of reasons: They're not as big time as they think they are, which means that expectations exceed reality. Clemson isn't all that. Auburn isn't. Washington damn sure isn't. (I mean, really: Washington?)" [ Reply to Comment ]

Dennis Dodd

Dodds and Ends