Reports: Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly is heading to Notre Dame to replace fired Weis

Reports: Cincinnati’s Kelly heading to Notre Dame

CINCINNATI — The South Bend Tribune is reporting that Brian Kelly is leaving Cincinnati to become the next coach at Notre Dame.

The Indiana newspaper cited two university sources in its report on its Web site Thursday. ESPN.com also reported the news. Neither school would confirm the hiring.

The 47-year-old Kelly is 34-6 in three seasons at Cincinnati, leading the Bearcats to back-to-back Big East titles and two straight Bowl Championship Series berths. The Bearcats set a school record last season for victories with an 11-3 record, then topped that with a 12-0 mark this season.

Notre Dame has been searching for a coach for about a week and a half since firing Charlie Weis after five seasons.

Kelly is expected to be at a Cincinnati team banquet Thursday night.