Dream On? We’re “Dreaming Big at Cincinnati”

I came across another interesting article today on Brian Bennett’s Big East blog at ESPN.com. This one centers on the big hopes and dreams of UC head coach Brian Kelly, and will appear in the 2009 Athlon Sports Big East magazine. Bill Koch, the UC beat writer for the Cincinnati Enquirer, writes about the future hopes for a national title at UC. (http://www.athlonsports.com/college-football/16898/dreaming-big-at-cincinnati)

I already noted that my job has gone big time with an upgrade in video equipment (nothing that would be noticeable to the outside fanbase) but Koch’s story focuses on Cincinnati’s quest—with Kelly at the helm—for a national title in football. That’s right, a national title in football.

You mean the same University of Cincinnati that I followed growing up as a horrible football program? The UC that was way more known for its basketball successes than anything that ever had to do with football? Yes, the same UC that 10 seasons ago endured a 3-8 season under Rick Minter, will contend for a national title in the near future according to the man running the show.

I won’t say I doubted the man, but my first day on the job back in June of 2007 I heard Kelly—most presumably talking to a recruit—say, “I want to win a national title here at UC.” As tough as it was for me to believe him two years ago, I now sit typing this with a shiny Big East Championship ring on my finger and a beautiful Orange Bowl watch on my left wrist. As Smash Mouth once sang, “I’m a Believer.”

USC transfer Vidal Hazelton even agrees with Kelly’s assessment: “I feel like sooner or later, in the next couple of years, they should be competing for a national championship.” Coming from a kid who was recruited by and played for, one of the nation’s elite programs, a program that is a perennial national title contender, that’s saying something.

Another point that is quickly becoming the hot issue is the facilities at UC. When I was on a tour of the athletic buildings the video coordinator, Greg Bruner (who is now at Illinois), showed me the weight room, which was in the process of being built. I was astounded by the facilities, and knew that UC was possibly on the right track to being a top notch program. Although UC’s athletic department is pulling itself from the debt of building such buildings, the payoff has been rewarding.

You don’t have to read the article if you’re a Bearcat fan to realize the unbelievable strides the program has made. My uncle made this point at a family get together this past weekend; “When I was there, they’d pay you to go to the games. I had no trouble getting a ticket.” He also added that he was surprised how packed the stadium was in 2007 for a matchup against Marshall.

Needless to say, it’s been a long time in the making, but UC might have a great shot at becoming a national power and competing with the big boys of college football, including a school two hours to the north. Maybe, just maybe, UC would take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in a National Title game. A dream that even four years ago seemed like a non-existent thought. It’s now a real possibility.

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Tomorrow I’ll show you some photos and insight from my trip to Kentucky Speedway two weeks ago. And, until then, you folks stay safe wherever you are.