TicketsDec. 5, 2006
CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Brian Kelly and the new Bearcats staff will coach the University of Cincinnati in its Jan. 6 International Bowl game vs. Western Michigan.
UC Director of Athletics Mike Thomas made that determination after consulting with Kelly and members of the team.
"Our goal was to put the best opportunity for success on the sidelines for our student-athletes," stated Thomas. "Coach Kelly and his staff have a wealth of knowledge regarding our opponent in the International Bowl and are ready to lead our team against Western Michigan. I am excited that we have Cincinnati coaches leading our Bearcats on the field as that is how it should be."
Kelly anticipates that several members of his staff at Central Michigan will accompany him to Cincinnati, although those coaches will also have responsibilities to prepare and coach Central Michigan in the Dec. 26 Motor City Bowl.
"The opportunity to lead our team during the pre-bowl practices and in the International Bowl against Western Michigan is exciting," Kelly stated. "It is important that our student-athletes be focused and properly prepared for success in Toronto. They will work hard, but will enjoy the bowl experience and all that the city of Toronto has planned for them.
"This plan alleviates any concern of confusion as to where we are headed as a program and will maximize the preparation time on getting an eighth win for our group of seniors who have worked so hard in leading this team this season," Kelly added.
Kelly directed Central Michigan to a 31-7 win over Western Michigan this past season.
Though unusual, this is not the first time that a new head coach has taken over a team after the end of the regular season and piloted that team in a bowl game. David Cutcliffe was named head coach at Mississippi after the 1998 season and directed the Rebels in the Independence Bowl that season. Mississippi posted a 35-18 win over Texas Tech.
The Bearcats, who are completing end-of-quarter exams this week, will return on Dec. 17 to campus for preparation for the International Bowl and will start practices on Dec. 18, ending on Dec. 23.
Following a two-day holiday break the team will return to campus the evening of December 26 and will stage practices from December 27-29, before taking another two-day hiatus for the New Year's Holiday. The team will return to campus on the night of Jan. 1 and will depart for Toronto via flight on the morning of Jan. 2. The Bearcats will practice Jan. 3, 4, and 5, leading up to the clash with Western Michigan on January 6.