Dec. 4, 2006

President Dr. Nancy L. Zimpher

"We give a big Cincinnati welcome to our new football coach, Brian Kelly. We have representatives from all quarters of the Cincinnati family to welcome Brian and Paqui. We have faculty, friends, and Jeff Wyler and the Board of Trustees. Thank you for coming.

"We can't properly begin without proper tribute to the past. This is a bittersweet moment. I do want to wish Coach Dantonio the best in his new job. It literally feels like yesterday that Bob Goin and I stood here and introduced Mark Dantonio as the new coach. I wish Mark, Becky, and the girls the best of luck.

"I want to commend (Mike Thomas') able leadership and professionalism in finding a great new coach and a perfect match in Bearcat football. He has proven this in the recruitment of Mick Cronin too, and we are pleased with Mark's successor.

"Brian Kelly is just the person we need to succeed. Our student-athletes are a big part of the whole picture of UC. You'd expect me to talk about the values that he brings and a strong commitment to team work. I want to stress that I and everyone at UC want to see Coach Kelly win. We will hear a lot about this from our new coach. We expect our Bearcats to be winners and become a perennial top-25 football team. It is my job to raise the expectations.

"I want to extend a big welcome to (the Kellys). I've met both of you, and I met Patrick in photos this morning. I'm excited to meet the rest of your family, and extend you a welcome.

"And to our football team, you have made us extremely proud this season. We are playing in the first International Bowl, and we look forward to a victory in Toronto on January 6th. Welcome to Brian Kelly. Go Bearcats!"

Director of Athletics Mike Thomas

"I know why we are here today, you know why we are here today, but first -- I don't know if we have our football student-athletes present today, but I do want to say, as Nancy mentioned, I think it is a great trip for those kids that they were able to accept the invitation to the International Bowl in Toronto on January 6.

"We thank all the alumni, students, and fans that are here to take time to share their thoughts and congratulations over the past week. There is no doubt that there is a great deal of passion surrounding Bearcats football. When our process began we had a strong idea of what we were looking for; a man of strong character leading our student-athletes, a man that wants to be a Bearcat, who recognizes the excellence of the city of Cincinnati, who will embrace the community and make this the best place to live in America, and, last but not least, a man committed to winning championships.

"I am proud to bring a man to UC who is a proven championship head football coach. I am excited about the energy that Brian Kelly brings to Bearcats football. As Nancy said, I would like to welcome his wife Paqui and look forward to his three children arriving in Cincinnati.

Head Football Coach Brian Kelly

"It is a great honor to be here today. I am not quite as prepared as Mike going into this. I will be speaking extemporaneously and I think that I speak from my heart when I say that I am so pleased to be the new football coach at the University of Cincinnati.

"Being a Bearcat and being a part of this University is something special. My family and I want to be a part of an urban university. The University of Cincinnati really drew our family here. My family and I are very appreciative of everything that has been given to us during this short time so far.

"I got a chance to be with my football team. It feels good to say that because those men are deserving of leadership and we will provide clear leadership to this program. Our leadership will mirror the values of this University. We will be a team of integrity and excellence, both in the classroom and on the football field.

"Championships are built seven days a week. It is not just about what you do on Saturday. We are going to work on winning immediately. I must say that there are some great pieces already in place here at the University of Cincinnati. I want to thank Mark Dantonio. I can see already in the players, their discipline, their demeanor. We have tough kids on the field and gentlemen off the field and that will continue to be the theme for the University of Cincinnati and the Bearcats.

"I want to talk a little bit about what you will see at Nippert Stadium. Not only will you see a football game, you will see an event. We want to get a game day atmosphere that is electric. We will play exciting football. We will play hard football for four quarters. We want to throw the ball around a little bit. I like to throw it around and be aggressive on offense. We want to make certain that if you come into our stadium, it will be a tough place to play. But most importantly, it is about our student-athletes and the commitment that they have made. We are here to play for championships; we want to be BIG EAST champions.

"I know what I have here at the University of Cincinnati and that is commitment from our student-athletes, from our board of directors, from our president and from our trustees, to be the very best we can be. It is time for us to bear down and get to work on winning a championship for this university."