Takeaways From Chip Kelly’s Final Media Appearances of 2014

Dec 14, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly before the start of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Chip Kelly Will be Back as Head Coach in 2015

I’d be lying if I told you the thought hadn’t crossed my mind that Kelly might not be back as Eagles coach next year if the right college offered him a job. Aside from the fact that I don’t think that job is out there anyway, Kelly does not seem eager to leave the NFL ranks anytime soon.

Chip is a competitor. He may not wear it on his sleeve like Jim Harbaugh, but there’s no doubt Kelly is irked at the supposed notion that the league has ‘figured him out’. If for no other reason than to eliminate the doubt that he has reached a plateau at the highest level of his profession without coming close to the type of success that defines the greats, Kelly will work harder than ever in the coming months to make sure he can volley back to the punch-back the NFL gave him in 2013.

There could be a day when Kelly does return to the college ranks. I would go as far as saying it’s even a likelihood. For now, however, I can’t see him going back with his tail between his legs. He has 20 wins in two seasons as a coach and, were it not for the self-inflicted wounds of his team in 2014, it’s arguable he’d have more. Considering his entire career as a coach with the exception of this past season has been highlighted by his ability to minimize such mistakes, it stands to reason that Kelly is confident he can fix such issues while improving the overall talent level of his team. Maybe I’m misreading Kelly’s playfulness at the podium when mocking the stories about his ‘attachment’ to the University of Florida job, but I think Kelly would look pretty foolish if he pulled that act only to accept a job at the NCAA ranks. I 100% expect Chip to be back in 2015 after what promises to be a fascinating offseason.