This gets me every time. The plan is there needs to be private funding. What magical money are we building this OCS to where a plan should be made in six months?
Michael Kelly wasn’t brought up because it was widely thought there was no way in hell USF could pull him away from his job with the CFP. His ties to USF, Tampa, the collegiate landscape and the CFP itself, as well as extensive work with a power conference (the ACC) is an absolute grand slam home run of a hire for USF to make. Everyone locally and nationally are raving about him, including folks from ESPN, The Athletic, TBSC, USF, the CFP, ACC, Derrick Brooks, Rob Higgins et al. The combo of Kelly-Higgins bringing events and publicity to the region and USF will be amazing. Kelly has made lasting relationships in this region and across the whole college football landscape.
This is is the perfect hire for USF athletics. And the only folks that are upset are just saying “it’s not Jurich.” No one had any idea if Jurich was interesting, how much he would cost and what the perception of the hire would be. USF brought in a young mover and shaker with a fantastic track record and knowledge of the area, I’m not sure how you do any better.