Prepare for more Brian Kelly rumors

It won’t be long now. In a few weeks, when the regular season ends and vacancies begin to occur at high-profile programs, Brian Kelly’s name will likely be among the first linked to them. The University of Cincinnati football coach is one of the hottest - if not the hottest - coaching commodity in the country. Last year it was Tennessee and Washington. The year before that it was Michigan. This year it could be Louisville. And there’s always the prospect that Notre Dame might come calling if Charlie Weis gets fired. Kelly has come to expect this. So have UC officials. No matter how many new contracts Kelly signs with UC - and he just signed one earlier this year - it’s hard for observers across the country to believe that he’s really in for the long haul at UC, which has only recently discovered football success. Kelly takes it all in stride. He listens to the overtures, says he’s happy at UC and confident he can win a national championship there. While that may have seemed preposterous just a few years ago, the Bearcats’ current No. 5 ranking in the BCS standings is proof that it is possible. “When people look at this program and say you can do it here,” Kelly said, “then the questions will stop. It’s getting there.” – Cincinnati Enquirer