Chip Kelly, a UCLA coach, has been appointed Ohio State’s new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, the school announced Friday night.
Kelly succeeds Bill O’Brien, who was appointed coach of Boston College earlier Friday. Ohio State hired O’Brien in mid-January as part of coach Ryan Day’s decision to stop calling plays and operate the team more holistically.
Kelly and the Buckeyes agreed to a three-year contract. Terms were not announced, but Kelly is likely to take a salary reduction of more than $4 million with the move, after earning almost $6 million at UCLA, according to ESPN sources.
Additionally, Kelly’s buyout would cost Ohio State $1.5 million, according to sources.
“We are extremely excited to have Chip and his wife, Jill, joining our program,” Day said in a statement. “His expertise as a head coach at Oregon, UCLA, and in the NFL will be immediately beneficial to our whole club. “I am excited to reconnect with Chip, introduce him to our team, and work together to win a championship.”I’d also want to wish coach Bill O’Brien and his family well when he takes over at Boston College.”
Earlier Friday, UCLA announced Kelly’s departure from the team, and a national search for a new head coach began.
Kelly’s decision to leave UCLA stems from a desire to coach again, which was fueled in part by tutoring UCLA’s quarterbacks in preparation for the Bruins’ bowl game this year. Kelly is coaching a position for the first time in almost a decade. Kelly departs UCLA with no ill will and a genuine respect for his players and staff.
Kelly was 35-34 in six seasons at UCLA, including three straight winning seasons. He becomes the fourth collegiate head coach in this cycle to depart for an assistant position, after Jeff Hafley (Packers), Mo Linguist (Alabama), and Kane Wommack (Alabama).
UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond said he informed the squad that a new coach will be in place within four days.
“Timing is difficult,” Jarmond added.
“We are seeking for a permanent leader for our program. I instructed the crew to allow us 96 hours. Could be sooner or later. But we’re going to go quickly. That is the priority.”
Kelly has interviewed for many NFL coordinator positions throughout the cycle, most notably for the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator role. Instead, he decides to attend college and reconcile with Day, a longtime friend and former assistant coach. Kelly and Day are both from New Hampshire and have been together for decades. Kelly coached Day in college at New Hampshire, and Day then worked for Kelly in the NFL with the Eagles and 49ers.
Kelly has long been considered as a creative playcaller, having previously served as the offensive coordinator and inventor at New Hampshire and Oregon. Kelly remained the playcaller as he progressed from Oregon to the NFL, and his attacks transitioned from a blistering speed to a more patient NFL approach.
He will lead the attack for a talented team that features transfer quarterback Will Howard, tailbacks TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, and receiver Emeka Egbuka.
Ohio State starts spring practice on March 5.
Chip Kelly, a UCLA coach, has been appointed Ohio State’s new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, the school announced Friday night.
Kelly succeeds Bill O’Brien, who was appointed coach of Boston College earlier Friday. Ohio State hired O’Brien in mid-January as part of coach Ryan Day’s decision to stop calling plays and operate the team more holistically.
Kelly and the Buckeyes agreed to a three-year contract. Terms were not announced, but Kelly is likely to take a salary reduction of more than $4 million with the move, after earning almost $6 million at UCLA, according to ESPN sources.
Additionally, Kelly’s buyout would cost Ohio State $1.5 million, according to sources.
“We are extremely excited to have Chip and his wife, Jill, joining our program,” Day said in a statement. “His expertise as a head coach at Oregon, UCLA, and in the NFL will be immediately beneficial to our whole club. “I am excited to reconnect with Chip, introduce him to our team, and work together to win a championship.”I’d also want to wish coach Bill O’Brien and his family well when he takes over at Boston College.”
Earlier Friday, UCLA announced Kelly’s departure from the team, and a national search for a new head coach began.
Kelly’s decision to leave UCLA stems from a desire to coach again, which was fueled in part by tutoring UCLA’s quarterbacks in preparation for the Bruins’ bowl game this year. Kelly is coaching a position for the first time in almost a decade. Kelly departs UCLA with no ill will and a genuine respect for his players and staff.
Kelly was 35-34 in six seasons at UCLA, including three straight winning seasons. He becomes the fourth collegiate head coach in this cycle to depart for an assistant position, after Jeff Hafley (Packers), Mo Linguist (Alabama), and Kane Wommack (Alabama).
UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond said he informed the squad that a new coach will be in place within four days.
“Timing is difficult,” Jarmond added.
“We are seeking for a permanent leader for our program. I instructed the crew to allow us 96 hours. Could be sooner or later. But we’re going to go quickly. That is the priority.”
Kelly has interviewed for many NFL coordinator positions throughout the cycle, most notably for the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator role. Instead, he decides to attend college and reconcile with Day, a longtime friend and former assistant coach. Kelly and Day are both from New Hampshire and have been together for decades. Kelly coached Day in college at New Hampshire, and Day then worked for Kelly in the NFL with the Eagles and 49ers.
Kelly has long been considered as a creative playcaller, having previously served as the offensive coordinator and inventor at New Hampshire and Oregon. Kelly remained the playcaller as he progressed from Oregon to the NFL, and his attacks transitioned from a blistering speed to a more patient NFL approach.
He will lead the attack for a talented team that features transfer quarterback Will Howard, tailbacks TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, and receiver Emeka Egbuka.
Ohio State starts spring practice on March 5.
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