Chip Kelly, the head coach of the UCLA Bruins football team, has announced his departure after six seasons. This news comes at a critical time as programs are preparing for spring practices. The Bruins’ athletic director, Martin Jarmond, expressed his gratitude to Kelly for his service and wished him the best in his future endeavors. Rumors have circulated that Kelly may be joining Ohio State as their offensive coordinator, although the Buckeyes have not provided any comments on the matter.
The departure of Kelly leaves UCLA with a void at the top just as they are set to move to the Big Ten from the Pac-12 next season. While Kelly had a mixed record of 35-34 with the Bruins, there were concerns about the program’s stagnation. Despite speculation about UCLA parting ways with Kelly towards the end of the 2023 season, the school decided to retain him after an 8-5 season.
Surprisingly, it was Kelly himself who began exploring other options. He interviewed for various NFL offensive coordinator positions before Ohio State emerged as a potential landing spot. Ryan Day, the head coach of Ohio State, played quarterback under Kelly when he was the offensive coordinator at New Hampshire, establishing a connection between the two.
In March, Kelly signed a two-year contract extension that would have kept him at UCLA until 2027. His salary for the past season was $6.1 million, and he would have been entitled to an $8.5 million buyout if he had been fired. Known as one of the pioneers of the up-tempo, spread offense, Kelly made a name for himself as Oregon’s coach from 2009 to 2012 before transitioning to the NFL.
Kelly took over as UCLA’s head coach in 2017 after Jim Mora Jr. was fired. He inherited a roster primarily composed of underclassmen during his first two seasons. The Bruins experienced a slow build under Kelly’s leadership, with three consecutive losing seasons before finally turning it around in 2021 with an 8-4 record. Over the past three seasons, UCLA achieved a 25-13 record but struggled to surpass nine wins and often faded towards the end of the season.
The Bruins were expected to contend for a spot in the Pac-12 championship game last season, especially since they did not have to face strong opponents like Washington and Oregon. Under the guidance of defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, UCLA boasted one of its best defensive seasons, leading the nation in run defense. However, Lynn departed after just one season to join rival USC. The offense, which had been the team’s strength in recent years, faced challenges in 2023 due to inconsistent quarterback play. Dante Moore, a highly touted recruit, transferred after the season, further complicating matters.
With Kelly’s departure, the transfer portal will open for UCLA players for 30 days. However, the timing may limit both the school and the players’ options for moving forward.
In conclusion, Chip Kelly’s decision to step down as UCLA’s head coach has left the program in a state of uncertainty. Rumors suggest that he may be joining Ohio State as their offensive coordinator, but no official confirmation has been made. UCLA will now face the challenge of finding a new leader as they transition to the Big Ten next season. The team’s performance under Kelly was a mix of highs and lows, and his departure presents an opportunity for change and growth within the program.