As the rumors continue to swirl, and the sources start to come forward, it appears that Brian Kelly is going to be the next Notre Dame head coach.  Rutgers went down this road with Greg Schiano a few years ago, and the constant "will-he or won't-he" between Michigan/Miami and Rutgers was maddening.  Sorry Bearcats fans, our coach stayed, but yours is all but gone.

Let me be the first to say goodbye to Kelly.  Hell, if he needs help packing his suitcase, or needs a ride to the airport, no sweat off my back.  Cincinnati's loss is Rutgers gain.

First off, Cincinnati is a good team that Kelly has somehow made great.  With 1 returning starter from last year's defense, BK has pulled off a magic act in guiding the Bearcats to an undefeated season.  He's lost quaterbacks and running backs over the last two seasons, but no matter who he throws in to replace them, they succeed.

Second, and more importantly for Rutgers fans is that Kelly simply owns Greg Schiano and the Scarlet Knights.  If you need any more evidence than the 1st game of this season on Labor Day when Kelly out-smarted and out-classed Schiano in all phases of the game, then you're crazy.  But I'll give you more:  Kelly is 3-0 against the Scarlet Knights, knocking them from the Top 10 in 2007, and costing them a chance at the Big East title with a tight victory last year.  Kelly and the UC program have a hex over Rutgers ever since that 44-9 drubbing that Rutgers laid on UC in 2005. 

Now with Kelly and Tony Pike gone, there is a clear path to the top of the Big East for Rutgers.  West Virginia will be a mid-pack team next year, and UC will drop from the perch atop the division.  Pitt and UConn will be a tough test as well.  But the door is open for Rutgers.  Let's stop and thank Brian Kelly for that.

UPDATE:  As expected, Brian Kelly has officially been named head coach at Notre Dame.