DeKALB – You don’t have to remember too far back to know Central Michigan was a Mid-American Conference powerhouse.

From 2006-09, the Chippewas made four consecutive bowl appearances and won the MAC three times. However, because of that success, Central Michigan became essentially a coaching feeder program for BCS schools, as so many MAC programs are.

After the Chippewas’ 2006 MAC title, coach Brian Kelly left for Cincinnati, and he now is trying to lead Notre Dame back to prominence. His replacement, Butch Jones, ended up replacing Kelly once again when Cincinnati hired him away from Mount Pleasant in 2009.