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Kelly to Lead Fighting Irish CINCINNATI, OH (Associated Press) -

The University of Cincinnati confirms Brian Kelly will leave the school to coach Notre Dame.

Cincinnati athletic director Mike Thomas says Kelly is off to lead the Irish and will not coach the No. 3 Bearcats in their Sugar Bowl game against Florida. Instead, offensive coordinator Jeff Quinn will lead Cincinnati.

After the team banquet Thursday night, Kelly and Thomas led players into a ballroom and closed the doors. Receiver Mardy Gilyard says Kelly then told the players he had accepted the Notre Dame job.

The Irish have been searching for a coach for about a week and a half since firing Charlie Weis, who failed to lift the Irish out of mediocrity, much like his two predecessors.
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