Cincinnati coach blows off Vols rumors

06:15 AM ET 11.24 | As rumors continue to circulate about University of Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly as the leading candidate for the head coaching vacancy at Tennessee, Kelly has told his players not to pay attention to them. Based on the incentives in the contract extension that Kelly signed after last season, he likely would make an additional $294,000 if the Bearcats beat Syracuse. That total includes $100,000 for a BCS bowl appearance and $50,000 for winning the Big East title. Kelly gets another $50,000 if the Bearcats, who are currently ranked 16th this week in the Associated Press poll, finish in the Top 25. Kelly will receive $14,000 if the Bearcats (9-2) win 10 games, $30,000 for their three wins over Top 25 opponents, and $50,000 if UC's home attendance average is between 27,501 and 32,000. The Bearcats average 31,477. And he'll receive another $50,000 if he is named Big East coach of the year, an honor he'll be considered for strongly given what UC has done in the face of so many injuries at quarterback. That would increase Kelly's incentives to $344,000 on top of the $1.2 million compensation that he's guaranteed, which would bring his compensation for the year to $1,544,000.

Cincinnati Enquirer