Kelly to Tennessee?

Posted on: November 19, 2008 9:34 pm

Score: 90

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?

Category: NCAAF

Comments

Add a Comment

sunonomo Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Jun 5, 2007	Posted on: November 20, 2008 11:30 am Score: 87 Kelly to Tennessee? Dude, did I say this was the big splash? I still think Leach and Davis have a chance along with an NFL mystery candidate we don't know about. Stay here for the latest. Hmm..., I'm no Tennessee fan, but the names that you're bouncing around make too much sense. Come on, we're talking Tennessee! I think it is much more likely they will hire Tommy Bowden, especially after the great job he has done at Clemson. This is the kind of coach that Tennessee would hire to replace Fulmer! Or maybe Terry Bowden, after the fantastic job he did at (on) Auburn...... [ Reply to Comment ]
TigerSockRocket Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Apr 30, 2007	Posted on: November 20, 2008 11:40 am Score: 91 Kelly to Tennessee? jasonprice82, that is a lousy comparision. 1. Kelly has never had a losing season dating back, oh, to the beginning of his head coaching career. 2. 4 of 5 previous teams that Rodriguez coached had losing seasons in his first year there. Make that 5 of 6 now when you add Michigan. Absolutely terrible. Not even remotely the same. [ Reply to Comment ]
gators21 Reputation: 78 Level: Pro Since: Nov 5, 2006	Posted on: November 20, 2008 11:55 am Score: 73 Kelly to Tennessee? Fulmer will be coaching UC. Tennessee and UC will just switch jobs. [ Reply to Comment ]
Chris4theVOLS Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Nov 4, 2008	Posted on: November 20, 2008 12:01 pm Score: 26 Kelly to Tennessee? I don't really have a problem with Kelly coming to Knoxville, but I would prefer more of a "sure thing" than a "lets hope." There are many similarities between Florida getting Urban Meyer after the 04 season and Tennessee getting Kelly after this season. <o:p></o:p> Kelly is still trying to establish himself. There's no doubt he is a good coach, but can he perform at the highest level in the SEC? He was crowned champion with Grand Valley State in DII play. He won the MAC title in 2006 and also won the motor city bowl. He is now with Cincy competing for the Big East Title. Kelly's current Cincy team (8-2) [4-1] is tied for first in the Big East. The bearcats competed well in the loss against Oklahoma, but was handed a whooping from UConn. <o:p></o:p> Urban Meyer seemed to be ready to take the next step when he came to Florida. He took one of the worst teams in the MAC, Bowling Green, to the best in the league. In 2003 he entered the Mountain West, although not a BCS conference, it's similar to the Big East. In his two years there he won 17 games compared to his 2 losses. In 2004, not only did he win the Mountain West Conference, his Utes went undefeated and beat BIG EAST champion, Pitt, in the BCS Fiesta Bowl. <o:p></o:p> If Brian Kelly can take the next step at the end this season and win the Big East and win a BCS game, that would be enough to comfort Tennessee fans if he came to coach the VOLS. <o:p></o:p> Would he be a great fit for the VOLS like Meyer is for Florida? In 2004 Ron Zook lead Florida to one of their worst seasons going 7-5. However, to many schools that would be a huge success. All 5 of their losses came against top 25 teams and one of their wins came against in-state rival #8 Florida State. Ron Zook couldn't hang with all the other big time SEC teams and found a better fit in the weaker Big 10 conference. Meyer took over as head coach for the Gators the following year with an extreme amount of talent and coached the team to 9 wins. In his second year, with his recruit Tim Tebow, Florida won the national Championship. <o:p></o:p> Phil Fulmer hasn't left the VOLS (3-7) with the luxury of talent Meyer inherited. If a guy like Brian Kelly comes into Knoxville, it will be very interesting to see how, if possible, quickly he can bring the program to a top national contender. In my opinion, Kelly is not a “big splash,” but in the long run could be a good choice. <o:p></o:p> [ Reply to Comment ]
Cincy/KY1990 Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 9, 2008	Posted on: November 20, 2008 12:05 pm Score: 77 Kelly to Tennessee? Brian Kelly at Tennessee?!?!?!? Oh heck yeah!!!!! That is Nice....but there's two down falls..... #1 If he DOES go, then who's gonna take his spot? and are they gonna keep Cincinnati's program on the rise like it's been???? (I hope so that's my favorite team...) #2. My second favorite Team (Kentucky) REALLY won't have a shot at beating Tennessee with Brian Kelly coaching....Or will they???? He may have to get used to coaching from the WORST football Conference (BIG EAST) to the BEST (SEC) .....So I also would'nt be suprised if he struggles "at the beginning" to compete with SEC teams.... Either way, I love Cincinnati, and I love Brian Kelly, If he goes to Rocky Top, Then Tennessee will make my favorite Teams List as #3.... GO CATS!!!!!! (Bearcats & Wildcats that is...) [ Reply to Comment ]
nroyer7 Reputation: 26 Level: Rookie Since: Nov 20, 2008	Posted on: November 20, 2008 12:26 pm Score: 36 Kelly to Tennessee? Who did florida hire a few years ago from utah?? hey, how is that guy doing these days?? brian kelly is a great choice [ Reply to Comment ]
TTUFanForever Reputation: 6 Level: Amateur Since: Nov 20, 2008	Posted on: November 20, 2008 12:55 pm Score: 12 Kelly to Tennessee? How sad that you don't posess the vocabulary to express yourself in an intelligent manner. Since you're obviously too ignorant to understand the above comment, I've included a translation: CLEAN UP YOUR LANGUAGE!!!! [ Reply to Comment ]
GregMadduxfan Reputation: 88 Level: All-Star Since: Apr 17, 2007	Posted on: November 20, 2008 1:00 pm Score: -44 SPURRIER Steve [ Reply to Comment ]
GregMadduxfan Reputation: 88 Level: All-Star Since: Apr 17, 2007	Posted on: November 20, 2008 1:03 pm Score: 29 Kelly to Tennessee? Steve Spurrier? Although he has always demeaned UT he is from Tennessee and he is a great coach. He could recruit a lot better, fans would love to watch him coach, and he has a proven track record in college football. Remember he has went to bowl games with SC which faces Tenn, Ga, and Fla, Clemson, and others. Fulmer wouldn't like it. Some hardcore fans would disagree. Peyton would probably be mad as you know what! [ Reply to Comment ]
Chris4theVOLS Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Nov 4, 2008	Posted on: November 20, 2008 1:21 pm Score: 32 Kelly to Tennessee? I don't really have a problem with Kelly coming to Knoxville, but I would prefer more of a "sure thing" than a "lets hope." There are many similarities between Florida getting Urban Meyer after the 04 season and Tennessee getting Kelly after this season. Kelly is still trying to establish himself. There's no doubt he is a good coach, but can he perform at the highest level in the SEC? He was crowned champion with Grand Valley State in DII play. He won the MAC title in 2006 and also won the motor city bowl. He is now with Cincy competing for the Big East Title. Kelly's current Cincy team (8-2) [4-1] is tied for first in the Big East. The bearcats competed well in the loss against Oklahoma, but was handed a whooping from UConn. Urban Meyer seemed to be ready to take the next step when he came to Florida. He took one of the worst teams in the MAC, Bowling Green, to the best in the league. In 2003 he entered the Mountain West, although not a BCS conference, it's similar to the Big East. In his two years there he won 17 games compared to his 2 losses. In 2004, not only did he win the Mountain West Conference, his Utes went undefeated and beat BIG EAST champion, Pitt, in the BCS Fiesta Bowl. If Brian Kelly can take the next step at the end this season and win the Big East and win a BCS game, that would be enough to comfort Tennessee fans if he came to coach the VOLS. Would he be a great fit for the VOLS like Meyer is for Florida? In 2004 Ron Zook lead Florida to one of their worst seasons going 7-5. However, to many schools that would be a huge success. All 5 of their losses came against top 25 teams and one of their wins came against in-state rival #8 Florida State. Ron Zook couldn't hang with all the other big time SEC teams and found a better fit in the weaker Big 10 conference. Meyer took over as head coach for the Gators the following year with an extreme amount of talent and coached the team to 9 wins. In his second year, with his recruit Tim Tebow, Florida won the national Championship. Phil Fulmer hasn't left the VOLS (3-7) with the luxury of talent Meyer inherited. If a guy like Brian Kelly comes into Knoxville, it will be very interesting to see how, if possible, quickly he can bring the program to a top national contender. In my opinion, Kelly is not a "big splash," but in the long run could be a good choice. [ Reply to Comment ]