Mike McDonald announced his departure as head coach of the Seahawks football team in favor of a demotion to offensive coordinator for Ohio State.

 

Over the past month, there has been a significant shift within the UCLA sports department. Given his end-of-year media appearances and Martin Jarmond’s hesitant support for “continuity,” Kelly went from being obstinately confident that he would be back on the sidelines in 2024 to a coach who is actively and aggressively seeking work.

It appears that either Jarmond has reaffirmed his commitment to staying at UCLA long-term after rumors circulated about him wanting to take a job elsewhere or there has been a new agreement with the boosters regarding a willingness to invest more seriously financially for success in 2024 and beyond since he was let go as Ohio State athletic director last month.

However, there has been a seismic shift within the institution recently; if not, UCLA would have pursued Jedd Fisch or Jonathan Smith with far greater vigor.

Considering how cold Kelly and Jarmond’s relationship has reportedly been lately, it’s difficult to believe it wasn’t at least somewhat so. It just seems like a coincidence that Kelly would leave Jarmond’s ideal school in the middle of February to accept an outright demotion within the conference. Insiders have sensed Jarmond’s lack of a deep commitment to UCLA due to his open soliciting of other athletic director positions, which has quietly infuriated many within the institution and athletic department. Kelly’s surgical departure, coupled with the convenient absence of other outstanding coaching prospects, smacks of Machiavellian