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(AP) -- The University of Cincinnati confirms Brian
Kelly will leave the school to coach Notre Dame.

 Cincinnati athletic director Mike Thomas says Kelly is off to
lead the Irish and will not coach the No. 3 Bearcats in their Sugar
Bowl game against Florida. Instead, offensive coordinator Jeff
Quinn will lead Cincinnati.
 

After the team banquet Thursday night, Kelly and Thomas led
players into a ballroom and closed the doors. Receiver Mardy
Gilyard says Kelly then told the players he had accepted the Notre
Dame job.

 The Irish have been searching for a coach for about a week and a
half since firing Charlie Weis, who failed to lift the Irish out of
mediocrity, much like his two predecessors.

(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)