Chip Kelly, the coach of UCLA, is anticipated to take over as Ohio State’s next offensive coordinator, sources informed ESPN on Friday. Kelly’s departure from UCLA was announced, along with the start of a nationwide search for a new head coach.

Bill O’Brien, who will take over as head coach of Boston College later in the day, is anticipated to be replaced by Kelly. O’Brien was hired by Ohio State in the middle of January as a part of head coach Ryan Day’s decision to operate the team more comprehensively and stop calling plays.

According to sources, Ohio State will have to pay Kelly a buyout of $1.5 million.

Kelly spent six seasons at UCLA going 35-34, finishing with three straight winning seasons. He joins Jeff Hafley (Packers), Mo Linguist (Alabama), and Kane Wommack (Alabama) as the fourth head coach in this cycle to leave a position as head coach in favor of an assistant position.

In a statement, UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond stated, “I want to sincerely thank Chip for his dedication to UCLA Football and our student-athletes over the past six seasons and wish him and his wife Jill the best going ahead.”

Kelly has interviewed for several NFL coordinator positions during this cycle, most recently the offensive coordinator role with the Seattle Seahawks. Rather, he looks to college, where he will reunite with his old buddy and former assistant coach, Ryan Day, the coach of the Buckeyes. Since Day and Kelly are both from New Hampshire, their bond has lasted for decades. Day worked for Kelly in the NFL with the Eagles and 49ers, and Kelly coached Day at New Hampshire University.

Kelly, an innovative offensive coordinator at New Hampshire and Oregon, has long been recognized as a skilled playcaller. Kelly continued to be the playcaller as he went on to become the head coach at Oregon and later in the NFL. His offenses changed from a fast-paced to a methodical NFL approach as a result.

With receiver Emeka Egbuka, tailbacks TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, and transfer quarterback Will Howard on the roster, he will call the offense for a potent team.