Ohio State already has its new offensive coordinator, hours after O’Brien left for Boston College.
The UCLA head coach Chip Kelly was named the new offensive coordinator by Ohio State football on Friday night, the Buckeyes said, validating a previous story by Matt Zenitz of 247Sports. Bill O’Brien, who OSU had hired on January 19 as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, is replaced by Kelly.After barely three weeks in Columbus, O’Brien departed on Friday to take a head coaching position at Boston College.
During a Friday squad meeting, Kelly told UCLA that he is no longer the head coach of the Bruins, according to Bruin Report Online. Since they were teammates at New Hampshire, where Day played quarterback for Kelly’s eight seasons as offensive coordinator, Kelly and Ohio State head coach Ryan Day had a tight relationship. Day achieved career highs in touchdowns and completion % while playing for the Wildcats. In 2002, Day left to take a position as tight ends coach at New Hampshire, where Kelly was still serving as offensive coordinator.
After Kelly’s Tuesday interview for the open offensive coordinator post with the Seattle Seahawks, the future of the Kelly era at UCLA remained uncertain.Kelly’s situation was precarious during the last months of the previous season, as there were rumors that he was about to lose his job.Following the rivalry game victory by the Bruins against USC, the UCLA administration openly stated that the allegations were untimely and that, at the time, it appeared that his job was secure.
Kelly’s career in Los Angeles appeared to be waning as seen by his repeated links to NFL openings this cycle. In six seasons with the Bruins, he was 35-34.
Kelly allegedly had two interviews earlier in the summer for the available offensive coordinator position with the Las Vegas Raiders.Before the team hired USC offensive analyst Kliff Kingsbury, Kelly’s name was also connected to the Washington Commanders, in addition to the Raiders, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
In 2007, Kelly was hired by Oregon as the offensive coordinator, his first post as a major conference coach. After two years, he was named head coach of the Ducks. At the conclusion of the 2010 season, he guided Oregon to the BCS National Championship Game. The Ducks were well-known for their high-octane attack, which prioritized athleticism and speed, during his tenure in Eugene.
After taking over as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013, Kelly made the move to the NFL, winning an NFC East Division championship in his first season. After three seasons with a 26-21 record, he was let go, and in 2016 the San Francisco 49ers hired him. Kelly had a 2-14 record at the end of the season, which led to his firing.
