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Former Oregon HC Chip Kelly is generating NFL coaching buzz
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- Former Oregon HC Chip Kelly is generating NFL coaching buzz
The college football offseason is upon us after Ohio State's national championship victory over Notre Dame last week, and for most NFL teams, the offseason is already in full swing. Every year, some coaches take NFL jobs after seeing success at the collegiate level.
One coach generating some NFL buzz is former Oregon Ducks head coach Chip Kelly, the current offensive coordinator of the champion Buckeyes. Kelly has undergone two previous NFL stints, coaching for the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers . Kelly was offered the Eagles' job following his immense success at Oregon .
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Kelly was a massive part of Ohio State's success this season, turning their offense into a machine. His ability to put Will Howard in situations where he seldom had to make tough throws while also unlocking Jeremiah Smith's athleticism in the passing game led the Buckeyes to the top.
Despite all of his success as a college coach, Kelly never was able to find much success in the pros. As coach of the Eagles, Kelly went 26-21 in three seasons, and with the 49ers, he went 2-14 and was fired after one season. Following his time in NFL, Kelly returned to college, coaching the UCLA Bruins for six years before electing to leave for Ohio State.
Kelly's chief strength has always been his playsheet, so a coordinator role in the NFL may suit him better. Some notable OC openings include the Detroit Lions, who need to replace Ben Johnson, Chicago 's new head coach, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, following Liam Coen's departure for the head job in Jacksonville .
If Kelly were to take an NFL job, Ohio State would likely be left without both of their coordinators. Jim Knowles, the architect of Ohio State's unwavering defense, is expected to leave for the Penn State defensive coordinator job according to several reports.
