Cincinnati's Kelly awarded Coach of the Year

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) - Cincinnati's Brian Kelly has won the Home Depot Coach of the Year award on the same day he told his team he was leaving for Notre Dame.

The 47-year-old Kelly went 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 heading into its Sugar Bowl matchup with Florida.

Kelly told his players he was leaving to coach the Irish after the Bearcats' team banquet in Cincinnati on Thursday night. Offensive coordinator Jeff Quinn will coach the team in its bowl game.