Brian Kelly is a Bearcat no more. He has ceased to be… a Bearcat.

Cincinnati, as Kelly’s egged house would indicated, was and probably still is pissed and understandably so. It’s not like Cincinnati was some group of rag-tag kids, waiting for a cheesy sports drama to be made of them. This program has become legit. So where should the folks at Cincinnati turn now for their savior? Who will keep this once 2nd-tier Ohio school, now powerhouse of the Buckeye state (a bigger deal than it sounds), at the top?

Central Michigan’s Butch Jones, of course!

Chippewas coach Butch Jones will be named the next Cincinnati coach, three people briefed on the decision told ESPN.com’s Joe Schad on Tuesday. Jones will succeed Brian Kelly, who was hired by Notre Dame after leading the Bearcats to a 12-0 record this season.

In case you haven’t been briefed, Kelly coached the Chippewas before Cincinnati. Apparently the Bearcats aren’t familiar with the adage, “History repeats itself.”

Look out for Butch Jones to be selected as the new Michigan coach in about two years.

[via ESPN]