Here's a question for Notre Dame fans to ponder: Will Cincinnati's Brian Kelly be the first and only candidate the school interviews for its vacant football job?

As the process heads into its second week, we're struck by the fact that no other big names have surfaced after the initial batch - Urban Meyer, Bob Stoops and Gary Patterson - said they weren't interested. Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh has denied reports that he would interview for the position.

All the rejections show - rather clearly - that this job simply isn't what it used to be. Having said that, Notre Dame eventually will find someone - even if it isn't Kelly - to buy into the tradition and accept the pressures that are inherent with this job. Notre Dame still has a lot of selling points.

Of course, it's starting to look as though Kelly will be the man. The school could do a lot worse, and Lou Holtz says Kelly will be hired by the end of the week.

The Bearcats coach is intense, passionate and has the right last name (read: Irish Catholic). Now, some might say Notre Dame would be making the same mistake it made with Charlie Weis, that is hiring an offensive guru who doesn't put enough emphasis on defense.

The one difference, of course, is that Kelly has a track record of success as a head coach, building Cincinnati into a national power. The Bearcats finished the season 12-0 and will meet Florida in the Sugar Bowl.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect about the Bearcats' season is that they didn't miss a beat when starting quarterback Tony Pike went down with a broken arm.

Still, it would be kind of weird if Kelly gets hired without any other candidates getting an interview.