Chip Kelly’s coaching future at UCLA has been a topic of discussion in recent weeks, with speculation about his potential departure. Kelly, in his sixth season with the Bruins, has faced criticism for not achieving the same level of success he enjoyed during his tenure at Oregon.
During his time at Oregon, Kelly’s teams consistently performed well, winning 10 or more games from 2009 to 2012. However, his tenure at UCLA has been marked by more modest results, with a nine-win season last year being his best achievement.
Rumors circulated that Kelly might be fired if UCLA lost to cross-town rival USC. However, UCLA secured a convincing 38-20 victory over the Trojans, leading some to question whether Kelly’s job is truly in jeopardy.
UCLA has one remaining game against Cal, a team with a less-than-stellar record. If the Bruins secure a victory, they will finish the season at 8-4, potentially matching last year’s performance. The question remains whether this would be enough to secure Kelly’s position.
One factor to consider is UCLA’s impending move to the Big Ten conference, which presents a new set of challenges. The Big Ten is known for its competitive football programs, and UCLA will need to maintain its competitiveness in the conference.
The coaching landscape in the Big Ten includes esteemed coaches like Ryan Day, James Franklin, and Jim Harbaugh. If Harbaugh were to leave for the NFL, it could impact the coaching hierarchy. However, Kelly would likely be considered somewhere in the middle of the pack among Big Ten coaches.
UCLA’s athletic director, Martin Jarmond, must carefully assess the program’s expectations and potential coaching options, whether with or without Kelly. The program has not won a conference championship since 1998 and has been absent from the Pac-12 South division’s top spot since 2012. Additionally, UCLA has not achieved double-digit win seasons since 2014.
The future of UCLA football is uncertain, and the decision regarding Chip Kelly’s future as head coach remains to be seen as the program navigates its transition to the Big Ten.