In a move that sent ripples through the college football world (for several reasons), Chip Kelly decided to leave his post as head coach of UCLA for the offensive coordinator job at Ohio State.
Despite UCLA entering the Big Ten, the two programs couldn’t possibly be more different.
While the Bruins have some prestige, Ohio State is arguably the biggest program in all of college football.
Having said that, voluntarily taking a (perceived) demotion is relatively unprecedented in the coaching world.
Chip Kelly openly admitted to pursuing basically every coordinator opportunity available beginning in December at his Ohio State presser today and said he never even considered resigning from UCLA despite not wanting to do the job anymore. Pure dogshit person.
— David Woods (@daviddavidwoods) March 5, 2024
Kelly opened up about why he made the decision he did.
“I just want to be happy,” he said. “And I’m really happy coaching a position. I’m really happy to be at this place.”
Chip Kelly says he's found happiness at Ohio State.
Watch: pic.twitter.com/836vWp7cuG
— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) March 5, 2024
“I think my wife remarked, ‘I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time,'” Kelly added. “To me, the best part of football is the football. So, you got to do football, and not some of the things that are involved with the head coaching deal.”
“It would have taken a special place for me to leave UCLA because I love those players, and I love that coaching staff,” Kelly continued.
“But to be here with Ryan (Day). We’ve had a great relationship. I’ve known Ryan since he was a little kid. So, I think a lot of things just fell into place that way.”
"It's been awesome being here and the players have been fantastic..
These players love football and this coaching stuff loves football" ~ Chip Kelly #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/K68xU2fqJ9
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 7, 2024
Of course, we know there was a whole lot more that went into his decision than just pure happiness.
It’s no secret that football isn’t exactly the highest of priorities for the powers-that-be at UCLA.
In this brand-new age of NIL and the transfer portal, if your program doesn’t have a truly significant financial backing, you’re going to drown.
That’s just the reality of the situation…
Imagine trying to explain this video to a Buckeye fan just six months ago.
Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly sharing a laugh with Tim Walton and star Buckeye safety Caleb Downs: pic.twitter.com/Xsd0Wya0pd
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) March 5, 2024
What Bill O’Brien did was kind of the exact opposite of Kelly … After just being named Buckeyes OC, he immediately took off for the head coaching job at Boston College.
Of course, there were other factors for O’Brien, who has strong ties to the Boston area and is much more interested in leading a program than being a coordinator.
However, the bottom line is his decision to ditch Ohio State opened the door for Kelly.
Me just randomly remembering Ohio State has Chip Kelly as OC. pic.twitter.com/CC7tFtwmkq
— Kyle Pringle (@Kyle_CLE_OSU) March 13, 2024
It became clear in recent years that Kelly despises the political games that head coaches have to play behind the scenes.
All the fundraising events and kissing up to boosters, let alone all the nonsense that goes into not only recruiting high school players, but RE-recruiting your own players – Kelly was sick of it.
Under his longtime friend, Ryan Day, Kelly will be able to focus solely on doing what he loves most – coaching offense.
These two with Chip Kelly’s run schemes is going to be crazy https://t.co/amZUchDHQo
— The Victory Bell (@VictoryBellOSU) March 5, 2024
What are your thoughts on Kelly leaving UCLA for the Ohio State OC job?
How will he do in Columbus?
Will he take Will Howard and the Buckeyes to an even higher level than what O’Brien would have?
Will we be seeing more head coaches at power conferences leave for coordinator positions to avoid all the nonsense???
Chip Kelly realizing the Ohio State talent around him. pic.twitter.com/1nfWqt9sIG
— Smart Brutus (@SmartBrutus) March 6, 2024