Chip Kelly has another job in football after being fired in November by the Las Vegas Raiders for having a bottom-five-ranked offense in almost every major category and not handling star rookie running back Ashton Jeanty with care. Kelly was hired on Monday, the day after the 10th anniversary of his firing from the Philadelphia Eagles, by the Northwestern Wildcats to serve in the same role.
Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, "Northwestern is hiring veteran coach Chip Kelly as the school’s new offensive coordinator. He’s a two-time college (Oregon/UCLA) and NFL head coach (Philly/SF) who brings an expertise in varying systems and personnel, which was appealing to Northwestern."
Kelly touted NU as a fit following a one-year stint in the NFL after his last collegiate stint, a national championship effort as the Ohio State Buckeyes' lead play-caller during the 2024 season.
“This program and university are clearly on the rise, and the values of the people and this place align with my own,” he said in a statement. “I am grateful for the opportunity. There is tremendous potential under Coach Braun’s leadership, and I’m ready to contribute to this team.”
Is this really what Kelly wants, though, or what he has to accept?
Chip Kelly's Career Plan Has Not Worked Out Since Eagles Firing
Kelly's plan after being let go by the Eagles, something he was slow to accept, was to stay in the NFL indefinitely. He landed the San Francisco 49ers job, but that quickly sputtered out of control in 2016, and his 2-14 record had him fired after one season.
Kelly then couldn't get a single look within the pro ranks, and he was forced to start slow-rolling his return to college football. Kelly was hit with numerous violations by the NCAA during his time at the University of Oregon, so a year rehabbing his image working for ESPN in an on-air capacity laid the groundwork for his return to the sport with the UCLA Bruins.
Northwestern is a lower-caliber program than any Kelly has worked at since getting his first head coaching job. His career arc may officially be on the downslope following a failed NFL rehab stint with the Raiders, after Ryan Day and Co. helped him punch his golden ticket.
To this point, his pro career peaked during his first season in Philly, and his overall coaching career peaked one year prior in his final season in Eugene, Oregon.