The Chip Kelly era has concluded in Westwood.
After six seasons at the helm, Kelly is expected to become the offensive coordinator at Ohio State, according to multiple reports.
The veteran head coach was said to be emotional while talking with players during a meeting on Friday when talking about his decision to leave. An interim has not been named.
“I want to sincerely thank Chip for his service to UCLA Football and our student-athletes across the past six seasons and wish the best to him and his wife Jill moving forward,” said athletic director Martin Jarmond.
The program will begin a national search for a new head coach.
“It is imperative that we support our student-athletes and put them in the best position to succeed,” Jarmond said. “UCLA is a special place, and we are confident we will find a leader for our football program who develops young men on and off the field and embodies our True Bruin Values.”
Kelly’s decision to pursue an opportunity at Ohio State will reunite him with head coach Ryan Day and Justin Frye, the associate head coach for the offense.
Frye worked with Kelly as his offensive coordinator at UCLA prior to leaving for a job with Ohio State. Day played quarterback at New Hampshire with Kelly as his offensive coordinator from 1999 to 2001. Kelly went on to become the coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and hired Day as his quarterbacks coach in 2015. Day followed Kelly to San Francisco where both held the same positions for the 49ers.
Kelly and Day were on a golf course together when Day and Kelly found out that the Bruins would be joining the Big Ten Conference on June 2022.
Kelly finishes his UCLA tenure with a 35-34 overall record (26-26 in Pac-12 play). The Bruins are 6-12 against teams ranked in the Top 25 with Kelly at the helm and recently became bowl-eligible for just the third time during his tenure.
Kelly finishes his UCLA tenure with a 35-34 overall record (26-26 in Pac-12 play). The Bruins are 6-12 against…
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