Chip Kelly says he wants to return.
Chip Kelly, the former 49ers head coach, has announced his comeback.
Bill O’Brien, who was chosen coach of Boston College earlier Friday, is replaced by Kelly. As part of coach Ryan Day’s decision to stop calling plays and instead manage the team more comprehensively, Ohio State hired O’Brien in the middle of January.
Kelly reached a three-year agreement with the Buckeyes. The financial details were not revealed, but sources tell ESPN that Kelly, who earned around $6 million at UCLA, will likely lose more than $4 million in salary as a result of the transfer.
According to sources, Ohio State will also need to pay Kelly a buyout of $1.5 million.
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“We are thrilled that Chip and his spouse, Jill, will be a part of our program,” Day stated. “His background as a head coach in the NFL, UCLA, and Oregon will be immediately beneficial to our whole team. I can’t wait to get back in touch with Chip, introduce him to our squad and staff, and work with him to win a championship.
“I also want to wish Boston College’s new coach, Bill O’Brien, and his family the best of luck.”
Kelly’s departure from UCLA was announced earlier on Friday, along with the start of a nationwide search for a new head coach.
Kelly left UCLA because he had a strong desire to coach again, partly as a result of working with UCLA’s quarterbacks in the run-up to this year’s Bruins bowl game. Kelly is coaching a position for the first time in almost ten years.
Kelly spent six seasons at UCLA, going 35-34 and finishing with three straight winning seasons. He joins Jeff Hafley (Packers), Mo Linguist (Alabama), and Kane Wommack (Alabama) as the fourth college coach in this cycle to go from head coaching to an assistant position.
Martin Jarmond, the athletic director at UCLA, stated that he informed the team that a new coach would be appointed in four days.
Timing is difficult, according to Jarmond. “We are seeking a permanent leader for our program. I gave the team 96 hours to work with us. Either sooner or later is possible. However, we will proceed quickly. That should come first.
Kelly has been interviewed for several NFL coordinator positions during this cycle, most recently the offensive coordinator role with the Seattle Seahawks. Rather, he stays in college and meets up with his old friend and former assistant coach, Day. Since Day and Kelly are both from New Hampshire, their bond has lasted for decades. While Day was employed by Kelly in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers, Kelly coached Day at New Hampshire University.
Kelly, an innovative offensive coordinator at New Hampshire and Oregon, has long been recognized as a skilled playcaller. Kelly kept his position as playcaller and transitioned his systems from fast-paced to a more methodical NFL approach when he became the head coach at Oregon and later in the NFL.
With transfer quarterback Will Howard, tailbacks TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka on the roster, he will call the offense for a formidable team.
