December 2, 2008

Tom Dienhart
Rivals.com College Football Senior Writer

Rivals.com has learned that Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly has turned down the Washington coaching job.

After a Tuesday meeting with Cincinnati officials, Kelly, 47, said he is happy with the steps the school is taking to upgrade its facilities and that he isn't interested in any other job. Kelly is in his second season with the Bearcats.

Still, Kelly likely would be a top target for the Notre Dame job should it open. Fighting Irish coach Charlie Weis and Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick are scheduled to meet Monday to discuss the program.

Washington interviewed Fresno State coach Pat Hill on Saturday. USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian and Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Haywood also have interviewed. It is believed Boise State's Chris Petersen and Utah's Kyle Whittingham also are targets.

Kelly is one of the hottest commodities in the nation. He is 21-5 at Cincinnati, including 10-2 this season. The Bearcats, who play at Hawaii on Saturday, already have clinched the Big East title and appear to be bound for the Orange Bowl.

Last season, Cincinnati finished 10-3, capped by a victory over Southern Miss in the Papajohns.com Bowl.

Before taking over Cincinnati, Kelly coached Central Michigan from 2004-06, going 19-16. The Chippewas won the MAC in Kelly's final season. Kelly began his head-coaching career at Division II Grand Valley State (Mich.), where he was 118-35-2 from 1991-2003. Grand Valley won Division II national championships in 2002 and '03.

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Tom Dienhart is a national senior writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at dienhart@yahoo-inc.com.