'Multiple' NFL teams interested in Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator, per report

chip-kelly

In college football, all eyes are on Ann Arbor, waiting to see if Jim Harbaugh takes an NFL job. But he may not be the only Big Ten head coach to leave his post for pro football.

A report from CBS Sports on Sunday indicated “multiple” teams could be interested in bringing UCLA head coach Chip Kelly aboard as offensive coordinator.

The report did not indicate any specific teams that may be interested in Kelly’s services, and thus far no one has requested an interview. Eight teams have or had head coaching vacancies, and five returning head coaches have moved on from their offensive coordinators. Furthermore, several current offensive coordinators, such as Houston’s Bobby Slowik and Detroit’s Ben Johnson, are candidates for head coaching positions themselves. Last winter, half of the NFL’s 32 teams changed OCs.

Kelly has never coached as an assistant in the NFL. He famously spent the first 17 years of his career coaching small college ball in the Northeast before becoming Oregon’s offensive coordinator in 2007, which led to a meteoric rise that saw him spend four seasons as the Eagles’ and 49ers’ head coach.

Kelly has spent the last six seasons at UCLA, going 35-34.

UCLA signed him to an extension last spring that keeps him under contract through 2027 and will pay him $6.1 million in 2024.

Kelly lost defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn to crosstown rival USC and replaced him by promoting D-line coach Ikaika Malloe to replace him, Kelly’s fourth DC in as many years. Tight ends coach Ken Niumatalolo is also expected to take the San Jose State head coaching position.

As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.