So, for those who don't know, Brian Kelly is the new football coach of the University of Notre Dame. He was the football coach of the University of Cincinnati until about a week ago (yep, a week ago exactly). After Notre Dame fired whomever (not a Notre Dame fan - sorry), they talked to Kelly, who couldn't pack his bags fast enough to get out of Cincinnati.
At first, I was salty - I ain't gonna lie to kick it. UC has had an awesome season this year, and this mess with Kelly definitely has been a stain on an otherwise excellent year of football for the hometown team (12-0 record, Big East Champions, #4 in the polls, Sugar Bowl bid to play against Florida). Most people (including me) around here expected it; unfortunately, Cincinnati has been a pit stop on the road to "greener pastures" for many.
Personally, I thought that it would've been better for Kelly to stay and build a legacy for himself. I think of the legendary teams in college sports (and even professional sports) - the one thing that made them legendary was the charismatic (and highly talented) coaches and/or players that played. I think of Kentucky basketball and think of Rupp. I think of UCLA basketball and think of Wooden. I think of the Boston Celtics and think of Russell. And one can do the same thing for Michigan football, UC basketball, Notre Dame football, and other sports teams.
But, Kelly is doing like many/most do and traveling a blazed trail rather than being a trailblazer.... Now that I've had a week, I can't be too mad at him - he'll now get even more exposure, attention, and even more $$$. I just wish all of this could've been postponed after the Sugar Bowl though. Oh well - when opportunity knocks, huh?
But, thinking about the whole Brian Kelly situation made me really think about Cincinnati and legacy. There's a lot of things that really IRK me about Cincinnati, but I'm from here, and I got much love for Cincinnati. Cincinnati, despite all the issues (close-minded, conservative, backwards in some ways, cliquish, et cetera), is a unique place to live. We have unique foods (Grippos, LaRosa's, Gold Star, Skyline, and so on), unique neighborhoods (OTR, Mt. Adams, and so on); we have all these hills (most cities I've visited, have been pretty flat), wonderful river views, and lots of charm and character. Plus, the cost of living is very reasonable, the educational institutions here are great (especially post-secondary), and we have pro sports (how many cities can claim two or more pro sports teams?)
Yes - Cincinnati is a unique place, but it's sad that most people who live here for any length of time can't see what I see. I've seen so many people who are unable to see past the issues and end up either leaving for "greener pastures" or stay here to live a pissed off existence. We have leaders who stay to either be the big fish in the small pond, or to make a name for themselves for when they leave for "greener pastures" (like Brian Kelly).
Most of those special people that could really make a major impact on the quality of Cincinnati living choose "greener pastures". Many see Atlanta, Charlotte, Portland, Columbus (OH), and other locales to be better places to set up and build their legacies rather than stay here in Cincinnati and try to build something worthwhile. I understand - it's purely by divine intervention that I didn't pick up and move at different times. I wondered at times if my employment opportunities, quality of life, and spiritual growth wouldn't flourish in another city south or west of Cincinnati.
However, I'm now willing to stay and try to build something for myself here. Perhaps God will use me to enhance the spiritual environment here. Maybe I can motivate and encourage others through ministry. Maybe I'll finish a book, make lots of $$$, and be able to work towards reducing homelessness, blight, crime, and hopelessness through the Word and through providing [financial] resources. Maybe God can and will use me to change Cincinnati's mentality so that we'll collectively have some self-esteem. Maybe one day, after I'm gone, part of my legacy can be that I've played a part in Cincinnati being seen as "greener pastures".
All this thought now has me thinking about my life - what I'm doing, what I'm trying to do, my dreams. Maybe I'll blog about it next week, maybe not - ha ha!
Laton!
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