Bad sports, good sports: Brian Kelly abandons his Cincinnati players

Posted on December 14th, 2009 by Alan Spoll

There is no arguing the fact that sports are big business in this country. Whether we’re talking about professional or college, the thought that it’s all just fun and games is naive. I love college football. I like to think that the mentality of the people involved in the coaching and management end of college football involves a desire to teach young men and women, beyond what happens on the field. Too often, though, things happen that remind me that I am being a bit too idealistic in my belief. This week, Brian Kelly, the head coach of the University of Cincinnati football team, accepted the head coaching position at Notre Dame. Post-season, pre-bowl coaching changes happen all the time, and the head coaching job at Notre Dame is considered to be a very desirable position. Most people would say that they can’t blame Kelly for jumping at the opportunity. I don’t give him that pass, though. The Cincinnati Bearcats are currently undefeated at 12-0, the greatest season they have ever had. They are headed to the Sugar Bowl to play Florida. They will now play that game without their head coach.

Due to the ridiculous fact that Division 1-A football has no playoff, Cincinnati does not have an opportunity to win the mythical National Championship, no matter how its game turns out. Only the two teams in the BCS title game (Alabama and Texas) have that chance. Still, Cincinnati has a chance to finish the season undefeated, ending it with a win over the defending champion Gators. The Cincinnati players were recruited by Kelly, and followed him to this point. Does he owe them the chance to finish this journey with their head coach still leading them? I sure think he does.

College football is a year-round endeavor, with all of the recruiting responsibilities that the coaches have. Notre Dame feels the clock ticking toward February’s National Signing Day, and needs its new coach in place as quickly as possible so that he can get out there and recruit. I get that. Still, I think that Kelly has done his players a great disservice. I would like to call for a rule preventing this, but I am really not sure how that would work, or what all of the ramifications would be, so I guess I can’t go that far. Regardless, it makes me want to root against Brian Kelly. As if his being the coach of Notre Dame wouldn’t have already accomplished that.

Bad sports, continued:

2) Early in the week, Florida governor Charlie Crist stated that the Jacksonville Jaguars need to seriously consider drafting University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow in next year’s draft. He believes Tebow can revitalize the franchise, which is struggling with low attendance this season. The fact that many experts believe Tebow is not equipped to be an NFL quarterback is apparently beside the point, I guess. Maybe the governor should leave those decisions to the football people. Right, Ed Rendell?

3) North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams is a little uptight these days. During a win over Presbyterian College on Saturday, Williams had security eject a fan who made a mildly derisive comment to Tarheel Deon Thompson while Thompson was shooting a free throw. I can tell you that I personally have yelled much worse things at basketball games than the “Hey Deon, don’t miss it!” comment that the Presbyterian fan made. Lighten up, Roy.

Bonus: Unsurprisingly, sponsors are starting to drop Tiger Woods.

Good sports:

1) Picture this: You’re walking across the street to get some coffee when an SUV comes barreling around the corner and hits you, knocking you to the ground. What do you do? Chances are, you bleed. After that, if you’re still breathing, you probably go to the hospital. You might even stay there for a while. If you’re New York Islanders defenseman Brendan Witt, though, you do what you figure any self-respecting professional hockey player would do: you get up, dust yourself off, and go get the coffee you were trying to get. Oh, and maybe you head to the arena and play 17 minutes that night. Hockey players are a different breed.

2) Brandon Marshall of the Denver Broncos caught 21 passes on Sunday, more than anyone had ever caught in an NFL game. That’s awesome. It also knocks Terrell Owens out of the record book, which is always a good thing. He held the previous record of 20.

3) The Penn State women’s volleyball team won their 100th consecutive match on Saturday. Wow. Think about that.

Bonus: Danica Patrick signs with JR Motorsports to drive in NASCAR.

Bad Sports, Good Sports appears every Monday

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Alan Spoll

Alan Spoll is a software quality assurance director from the suburbs of Philadelphia where he lives with his wonderful wife and children. He has spent his entire life as a passionate fan of the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, Flyers, and Penn State. Recent Phillies success aside, you will understand his natural negativity. Follow me on Twitter - @DocAlan02