In his first full season , Kelly led Cincinnati to a competitive position in the Big East ; the Bearcats ' second ever 10-win season ( its first since 1949 ) ; and a Top 25 ranking . On December 5 , 2007 , Kelly was named Big East Coach of the Year after leading the Bearcats to a 9 – 3 record . Coach Kelly later led the Bearcats to a 31 – 21 victory in the PapaJohns.com Bowl over Southern Miss
Big East
Big East Conference (1979–2013)
Brian Kelly (American football coach)