After getting perhaps direct preparation for the job (i.e., facing an actual NFL team in the BCS title game), Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly may be ready to coach an NFL team of his own.
One team reportedly thinks so. According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Eagles are interested in Kelly.
ESPN takes it one step farther. Per Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter, the Eagles already have met with Kelly. Currently, Kelly is out of the country; discussions may continue when he returns.
Per ESPN, the interest is mutual.
It’s no surprise. Philly already has interviewed two college coaches (Chip Kelly and Bill O’Brien), both of whom chose to stay in college. The Eagles also wanted to interview former Syracuse coach Doug Marrone, who became the Bills coach before that could happen.
Kelly has been successful at each of his college stops, most recently taking Notre Dame to a 12-0 regular season and a berth in the championship game. With a rabid national fan base, intense media attention, and various competing constituencies in South Bend, the Notre Dame coach arguably is the closest thing to an NFL coach that college football has.
This news comes as another coach with ties to Notre Dame, Jon Gruden, reportedly is interested in coaching the Eagles, but the Eagles apparently aren’t interested in him.
