Cincinnati went right back to Central Michigan for its next coach.

Butch Jones was hired yesterday to replace Brian Kelly, who came from Central Michigan three years ago and built the Bearcats program into national prominence before leaving for Notre Dame last week. Now, it's up to one of his former assistants to keep it there.

The fourth-ranked Bearcats (12-0) won their second straight Big East title, finished third in the BCS rankings and earned a chance to play Florida in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.

"It's very rare to have the opportunity to come in and take over a two-time defending champion and the No. 3 team in the country," said Jones, who was introduced at an evening news conference after agreeing to a five-year deal.

The chance came along because Kelly left for Notre Dame last Thursday. Jeff Quinn, who was his offensive coordinator in Cincinnati, was named interim coach and will direct the team in the Sugar Bowl while Jones settles in.

No. 25 Central Michigan plays Troy in the GMAC Bowl on Jan. 6. Associate head coach Steve Stripling was named interim coach yesterday for the Chippewas' bowl game.

SAN JOSE STATE

NEW COACH NAMED

San Jose State has hired Duke defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre to replace Dick Tomey as football coach.

MacIntyre will be formally introduced at a news conference today. The 44-year-old MacIntyre spent the past two seasons at Duke. He has also worked as a secondary coach in the NFL with Dallas and the New York Jets and spent five seasons as an assistant at Mississippi.

San Jose State went 2-10 this season under Tomey, who announced his retirement last month. Tomey, a former head coach at the University of Hawai'i, went 25-35 in five seasons with the Spartans.

KANSAS

MANGINO TO GET $3M

Former Kansas football coach Mark Mangino will be paid $3 million as part of a settlement both sides signed last week.

The university announced the payout yesterday and said the settlement will be paid through private funds raised by the athletics department, with no taxpayer money involved.

Mangino resigned earlier this month amid allegations that he emotionally mistreated his players. He had four years left on his contract, worth $2.3 million per year, or a total of $9.2 million.

After Mangino went 12-1 and won the Orange Bowl in 2007, he was given a big raise and contract extension through 2012 and honored as national coach of the year.

ELSEWHERE

Illinois: Receiver Arrelious Benn will skip his senior season and enter April's NFL draft after a disappointing junior year. Benn struggled with an ankle injury, and caught just 38 passes for 490 yards and two touchdowns.

California: Star tailback Jahvid Best will not play in the Poinsettia Bowl against Utah as he continues his recovery from a frightening fall and concussion that sidelined him last month.