"They have lost a coach, had an interim coach named and saw the program hire a new coach who won't really take over until after the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

It's been a weird week for the Cincinnati Bearcats, to say the least. But today they had to try and get back to normal as they resumed practice in preparations for their Jan. 1 showdown against Florida in New Orleans.

Under these circumstances, the team's leaders have to take charge, center Chris Jurek said.

"A lot is on the seniors," Jurek said. "Some of us have been through this before. We know we have to step up because it is our team.

"It's the same leadership. We're just down one guy."

It was just three years ago when Mark Dantonio left and Brian Kelly took over to lead the team to the International Bowl. Now Kelly is gone to coach Notre Dame, Jeff Quinn is the interim coach and Butch Jones was hired as the next head coach on Wednesday. Jones, however, says he plans to stay in the background until after the Sugar Bowl. He did meet with the team Wednesday.

"He brought a nice message of playing passionately and to compete," Jurek said. "He seems to be a very personable coach and family-oriented, which is always a positive. He wants to keep winning, and I see no reason why that won't happen."

Quinn was Jurek's position coach the past three years, so he has full faith in his ability to lead the team against Florida. While there have been plenty of distractions, the Bearcats are trying to get back to the business of the biggest game in school history.

"All that's kind of behind us now and we're focusing on the Sugar Bowl," Jurek said. "It would be a big disappointment if we don't come out with a win in that game."