WOI-TV Reports Central Michigan's Brian Kelly now a candidate...this guy has

[edenclone]

been someone I liked from the beginning, but he's been linked to the Michigan State for so long I didn't think we had a shot.

He's another good candidate!

[TheHelgo]

Jeremy, do you have any information on Brian Kelly @ CMU and his contact/interest level in replacing McCarney? There is an article on CR about it (don't worry, the free part gives the relevant information). It says he was recently contacted by ISU about the job. Does this mean that the Harbaugh stuff may not be as certain as we thought?

[jperickson23]

First Brewster, then Harbaugh, now we're talking to Kelly. Hell, a poster on another site swears that he saw Mike Ditka at the DSM airport yesterday. I for one am not believing anything until I see the guy at the press conference. But for the record I am sold on Harbaugh.
Jeremy, have any of your sources said anything about Kelly?

[Jeremy]

From what I've heard there are at least four that have been contacted; Brewster, Harbaugh, Kelly, and one other that I don't currently have confirmed. I personally have been told not to read much into Kelly other than that he'll interview like the rest but he hasn't so far gotten much interest from the AD's office. Maybe that is older news but it was relayed to me this afternoon so I don't know if anything has changed.

He is a candidate but there are going to be a lot of candidates, a few that interview, and one that gets the job. I'm sticking by my story on Harbaugh but I do agree that things will not be decided until after the offer is accepted. To me it will be obvious that some names are decoys and that some are lesser-interest candidates that aren't true possibilities.

Kelly falls on the cusp of being a true candidate and a lesser candidate. He would have a lot of people impressed at his winning track record and rebuilding track record, but he wouldn't impress too many in regards to recruiting experience or recognition. Donors may have a harder time with him than fans but I can't state that as a fact.

[edenclone]

Kelly has a really good resume if you ask me, although my guess is that he ends up at Michigan State.

[Jeremy]

Kelly has a really good resume if you ask me, although my guess is that he ends up at Michigan State.

He's worked in the state for a long time so he has a lot of connections and friends that would love to see him at MSU if the opportunity was right.

[CYKO TY]

I heard about the Ditka rumor as well. I am glad I'm not the only one hearing this crazyness

[clone4410]

Michigan State message board says that Kelly is not on thier short list.

http://www.spartantailgate.com/2006/...aching-search/

[ISUCY11]

i say we let McDermott coach the football team as well...

[Stormin]

Think about this. By ratcheting up interest in Brian Kelly, we are putting pressure on Michigan State that they can't just sit back and use Kelly as a fallback. Also it puts them on the defensive, if they feel that Kelly is their man. They need to be dealing with Kelly and not p*ssyfooting around with Harbaugh. I think it is a typical Pollard smokescreen. Like how he operates, keeps everyone guessing.

[thunderdave]

Maybe we should've made JP the offensive play-caller for the football team?

[cycloneworld]

I'm sure he is a candidate. Just because Harbaugh may be the guy doesn't mean we won't look at and interview other candidates...it's called not putting all of your eggs in one basket.

[ColoradoClone]

I heard about the Ditka rumor as well. I am glad I'm not the only one hearing this crazyness

That had to be the most fun I've had with a rumor in a long time. The fact that it was so out there made it really easy to just enjoy without getting your hopes up.

That and the fact that there would be ZERO risk in hiring Mike Ditka. I mean, even if he sucked it up here for 4 years the fan base would be huge, and no one could blame an AD for taking a chance on Iron Mike.

Could you imagine the Sausage Vendors that would flood JTS?

[cycloneworld]

That had to be the most fun I've had with a rumor in a long time. The fact that it was so out there made it really easy to just enjoy without getting your hopes up.

That and the fact that there would be ZERO risk in hiring Mike Ditka. I mean, even if he sucked it up here for 4 years the fan base would be huge, and no one could blame an AD for taking a chance on Iron Mike.

Could you imagine the Sausage Vendors that would flood JTS?

Wait, wait wait...are you talking about Mini-Ditka or full sized Ditka? Because that could make all the difference in the world!

[cyclonedrew]

Mini Ditka was rumored for the Hawkeye job before Capt. Kirk took the job. We are going after full sized Ditka.