The source said there is “still some work to do” on Kelly’s potential new deal with the Irish.

Kelly met with the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday, and there was mutual interest after the interview.

“This week, I had an incredible opportunity to speak with one of the premier organizations in sports about becoming their head coach,” Kelly said in a statement released through the school.

“Like every kid who has ever put on a pair of football cleats, I have had thoughts about being a part of the NFL. However, after much reflection and conversation with those closest to me, I have decided to remain at Notre Dame.

“This decision was motivated purely by my love for Notre Dame and the entire Fighting Irish community, the young men I have the great fortune to coach, and my desire to continue to build the best football program in the country.

“We still have a lot of work to do and my staff and I are excited about the challenges ahead.”

Kelly coached the Fighting Irish to a 12-0 regular-season record and an appearance in the Discover BCS National Championship. Playing for its first national title since 1988, Notre Dame was routed by Alabama, 42-14, on Monday night.

A source told ESPN that the Eagles informed Notre Dame prior to the game of their desire to interview Kelly after it.

“There is no question we spent a considerable amount of time and effort looking at who we thought were the best collegiate candidates for our head coaching job,” the Eagles said in a statement Saturday. “We did so knowing that there was a remote chance that these coaches would leave their current posts. We understood that going into the process, but we wanted to leave no stone unturned while trying to find the best head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. We have no regrets about the effort we made in that direction and we will continue to proceed as planned in our search.”

CBSSports.com reported Wednesday the Chicago Bears also were interested in Kelly. But sources refuted that report to ESPNChicago.com.

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said in a statement that he wasn’t surprised by Kelly’s decision.

“I was always confident that Brian would continue to lead our football program. I am very happy to have that confirmed and share Brian’s excitement about what lies ahead for our program,” he said.

Swarbrick said he appreciated the Eagles and Kelly keeping him informed of what was going on throughout the process.

The post Brian Kelly staying at Notre Dame appeared first on IdealCapper.

The source said there is “still some work to do” on Kelly’s potential new deal with the Irish.

Kelly met with the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday, and there was mutual interest after the interview, according to league sources.

“This week, I had an incredible opportunity to speak with one of the premier organizations in sports about becoming their head coach,” Kelly said in a statement released through the school.

“Like every kid who has ever put on a pair of football cleats, I have had thoughts about being a part of the NFL. However, after much reflection and conversation with those closest to me, I have decided to remain at Notre Dame.

“This decision was motivated purely by my love for Notre Dame and the entire Fighting Irish community, the young men I have the great fortune to coach, and my desire to continue to build the best football program in the country.

“We still have a lot of work to do and my staff and I are excited about the challenges ahead.”

Kelly coached the Fighting Irish to a 12-0 regular-season record and an appearance in the Discover BCS National Championship. Playing for its first national title since 1988, Notre Dame was routed by Alabama, 42-14, on Monday night.

“There is no question we spent a considerable amount of time and effort looking at who we thought were the best collegiate candidates for our head coaching job,” the Eagles said in a statement Saturday. “We did so knowing that there was a remote chance that these coaches would leave their current posts. We understood that going into the process, but we wanted to leave no stone unturned while trying to find the best head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. We have no regrets about the effort we made in that direction and we will continue to proceed as planned in our search.”

CBSSports.com reported Wednesday the Chicago Bears also were interested in Kelly.

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said in a statement that he wasn’t surprised by Kelly’s decision.

“I was always confident that Brian would continue to lead our football program. I am very happy to have that confirmed and share Brian’s excitement about what lies ahead for our program,” he said.

Swarbrick said he appreciated the Eagles and Kelly keeping him informed of what was going on throughout the process.

The post Brian Kelly staying at Notre Dame appeared first on IdealCapper.

Whisenhunt, 50, was 45-51 in six seasons with the Cardinals after being hired in 2007. He led the Cardinals to the Super Bowl after the 2008 season, losing to the Steelers.

“I have great respect for the San Diego Chargers,” Whisenhunt told the team’s official website. “Every time I’ve played them, they’ve been good football teams and we had battles whether I was in the AFC or the NFC. (I’m impressed) with the way they do business, so I have a tremendous amount of respect for them…

“Playing here at this stadium, it’s always been a tough place to play. The fans from what I’ve seen, they’ve always been great. That’s something where any time you get home field advantage like that, it’s a big positive.”

Whisenhunt struggled to find a starting quarterback after Kurt Warner’s retirement after the 2009 season. In 2012, Arizona started three different quarterbacks and struggled after Kevin Kolb injured his ribs in Week 6. Both rookie Ryan Lindley and second-year QB John Skelton struggled in Kolb’s absence.

The Cardinals, who started the season 4-0, went on to lose their next nine games, including the most one-sided loss in franchise history, a 58-0 drubbing at Seattle.

Whisenhunt had a second interview with the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, league sources confirmed to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

The post Chargers interview Ken Whisenhunt appeared first on IdealCapper.

The Eagles and Kelly have agreed to revisit talks when he returns this weekend, according to league sources.

CBSSports.com reported Wednesday that the Chicago Bears also are interested in Kelly. But sources refuted that report to ESPNChicago.com.

Kelly coached the Fighting Irish to a 12-0 regular season and an appearance in the Discover BCS National Championship. Playing for its first national title since 1988, Notre Dame was routed by Alabama, 42-14, on Monday night.

Philadelphia has been seeking a replacement for longtime coach Andy Reid, who was fired one day after the Eagles completed a disappointing 4-12 season.

Kelly denied having any interest in an NFL coaching job this past Saturday, claiming that leaving Notre Dame “is not an option. I don’t even think about it.”

The 51-year-old Kelly has steadily climbed the coaching ladder, from Division II Grand Valley State to Central Michigan to Cincinnati to Notre Dame, winning big at every stop along the way.

Kelly has a 28-11 record in three seasons with the Fighting Irish.

“I think from my perspective I’ve got the best job in the country, NFL, college, high school, whatever,” Kelly said Saturday. “I just look at the place that I’m at and thankful for the opportunity that I have.”

Just a year ago, Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick gave Kelly a two-year contract extension to keep him with the Fighting Irish through the 2016 season. Terms have not been released.

Kelly was hired in December 2009, getting a five-year deal. He left an undefeated Cincinnati team that was ranked No. 4 at the time. Fans liked his approach and his resume, which included improved records at Grand Valley State, Central Michigan and Cincinnati.

He has done the same thing in South Bend, begging the question of whether he is ready so soon to make a fresh move, this time to the NFL, or is perhaps trying to parlay a better contract out of Notre Dame.

Kelly was the third college coach Philadelphia has interviewed since firing Andy Reid on Dec. 31. Penn State’s Bill O’Brien and Oregon’s Chip Kelly interviewed with the Eagles last week, but chose to stay at their schools.

Philadelphia has interviewed six candidates and plans to meet with four others, but general manager Howie Roseman said Wednesday that the Eagles aren’t in a rush to replace Reid.

Roseman, owner Jeffrey Lurie and president Don Smolenski also plan to meet with former Bears coach Lovie Smith on Thursday.

“Jeffrey has been very adamant with us that the key is getting the right guy,” Roseman said in an interview on the team’s website. “The key isn’t getting the right guy as quickly as possible, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

They met Denver offensive coordinator Mike McCoy on Sunday and plan to interview Indianapolis offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and Cincinnati offensive coordinator Jay Gruden.

“This whole organization is built to support a head coach and they know that — not only in actions but in words — and all they have to do is call Andy Reid,” Roseman said. “It’s been a positive experience.”

The interview with Chip Kelly last Saturday lasted for several hours, fueling speculation that he was going to take the job. But Kelly, who also was pursued by Cleveland, opted for the second straight year to pass up the NFL. He turned down Tampa Bay last year.

This is the third time Lurie is hiring a new coach since he bought the team from Norman Braman in 1994. He hired Ray Rhodes on Feb. 2, 1995, after a long, exhaustive search that included a flirtation with former Eagles coach Dick Vermeil. Lurie needed less time to hire Reid, giving him the job on Jan. 11, 1999.

The post Brian Kelly interviews with Eagles appeared first on IdealCapper.