Chip Kelly, the former head coach of UCLA football, has made a surprising move to become the offensive coordinator at Ohio State. Despite a successful season at UCLA, where he won eight games and a bowl game, Kelly decided to take a massive pay cut and join Ohio State. This move is just one example of the chaos that has engulfed college football in 2024.
The year has only just begun, but already some of the top programs and coaches are experiencing upheaval. Jim Harbaugh, the head coach of Michigan, started the year under NCAA investigation and struggling to find success on the field. However, he has since left Michigan to join the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers, where he can avoid the ongoing investigation.
On the same day that Kelly made his move, Bill O’Brien, who had been serving as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator, left to become the head coach at Boston College. While O’Brien’s move was a promotion, Kelly’s decision to become a coordinator for the first time since 2009 was unexpected. Despite UCLA’s upcoming move to the Big Ten conference, Kelly saw a better future at Ohio State.
Kelly’s move may seem disloyal, but it is not entirely surprising. He has a relationship with Ohio State’s head coach, Ryan Day, as they were once player and coach at New Hampshire. Kelly is known for his play-calling abilities and his desire to establish a strong running game, which aligns with Ohio State’s philosophy.
There were likely other factors that influenced Kelly’s decision. UCLA’s future in Westwood seemed uncertain, and while he was not in danger of being fired after an 8-5 season, he was not hired by the current athletic director. Kelly had also been interviewing with NFL and college teams, indicating that his security at UCLA was not guaranteed.
Despite the challenges at UCLA, Kelly had leverage due to contract extensions and a high buyout. However, UCLA’s financial difficulties and low recruiting rankings may have played a role in their decision to stick with Kelly. With his move to Ohio State, Kelly may have a better chance of becoming a head coach again in the future.
The situation at UCLA is now complicated by the fact that the recruiting class Kelly recently finalized are now free agents due to NCAA rules. Players have the opportunity to transfer without restriction for 30 days after losing their coach. This could lead to mass transfers and a significant rebuilding process for UCLA.
The first decision that UCLA’s athletic director, Martin Jarmond, must make is whether to hire an interim coach or pursue the best available candidate. However, it may be challenging to find a top-tier coach at this point in the year.
Overall, the chaos in college football in 2024 highlights the need for change and stability in the sport. As Kelly stated, “Something needs to be done to protect this game.” It is time for college football to make sense again and provide a more secure environment for coaches and players alike.