Kelly to Replace Dantonio at Cincinnati

The Central Michigan University football program is searching for a new head coach. Late this afternoon, former CMU head coach Brian Kelly announced that he had accepted an offer to be the new head coach at the University of Cincinnati.

Chippewas Insider has learned from multiple sources that former CMU head coach Brian Kelly has accepted an offer to be the new head football coach at the University of Cincinnati.

Kelly replaces Mark Dantonio, who last week was named the new head coach at Michigan State.

Multiple sources have confirmed that Kelly held a team meeting at 5 p.m. this afternoon at which time he informed the CMU players that he was leaving for Cincinnati.

A source close to the CMU program has also indicated that CMU Associate Head Coach Jeff Quinn is expected to coach the team in the upcoming Motor City Bowl, scheduled for Dec. 26 at Detroit's Ford Field.

The Chippewas just completed a successful 2006 campaign which saw them go 9-4, winning their first Mid-American Conference Championship in 12 years with a 31-10 win over Ohio University.

Two likely candidates to replace Kelly at CMU include Grand Valley State University head coach Chuck Martin and former CMU assistant coach and current West Virginia University assistant Butch Jones.