After an up and down NFL career to say the least, Chip Kelly is making his return to the college game. Only this time it will be as an analyst for ESPN. It was reported on Friday that ESPN and Kelly had come to an agreement on a deal that would make Kelly an analyst during ESPN’s college football pre and post game shows as well as some NFL analysis on Sundays.
Kelly spent the past four years coaching in the NFL. He spent the first three seasons of his NFL coaching career with the Philadelphia Eagles, and this past season coaching the 49ers. Kelly was fired after only one year as the 49ers head coach, their record was 2-14. During his tenure in Philadelphia, Kelly’s team went 26-21, with one playoff appearance. He never was able to capture his first career playoff win.
Kelly is best known for his dynamic offensive schemes. His offense he implemented during his tenure at Oregon captured the attention of football fans and media. Fast paced, quick tempo, no huddle with hardly any time for the defense to react to what is happening, Kelly’s innovation on how to move the ball down the field is what made him such a desired coach. His run in the NFL started off strong, however faded after his first season in Philadelphia.
Kelly proved that his style of offense was a force to be reckoned with during his four year run at Oregon. His team went 46-7 during his coaching reign. In 2010, Kelly led the Ducks to a National Championship appearance, losing to Cam Newton and Auburn.
Kelly said in a statement that “I spoke with a lot of people this offseason about different situations for me — in coaching and TV. I had various opportunities in both. In the end, I have had a relationship with ESPN for many years from when I was coaching and after speaking with them, I decided it was the best step for me to take.”
It is not clear yet what Kelly’s intentions are after this season, whether or not he wants to return to the sidelines. There was reportedly interest around college football for Kelly’s services as a head coach, however he decided to take a different route in his career for now. There is little doubt that there still will be interest in Kelly whenever he decides he wants to get back into coaching football.
“I have been a coach for nearly the last 30 years,” Kelly said. “Working in television will allow me to see the game from a different perspective, but I didn’t take the job with the intention it will lead to something specific. I love the game of football and working with good, smart people. ESPN presents an opportunity to combine those two things.”
If history tells us anything, it tells us Kelly figures to be in demand at the college level when head coaching jobs begin opening next season. He is not the first popular college coach to step away for a year or two for television, Urban Meyer spent a season at ESPN between resigning from Florida and landing at Ohio State. As did Rich Rodriguez after being fired by Michigan and before being hired by Arizona.
This recent news regarding Kelly and his decision to work in television should probably come as no surprise, especially in football, as a lot of big names have stepped away from the field in order to pursue a career analyzing the game. Former NFL quarterbacks Tony Romo and Jay Cutler are making the transition from the field to the booth for CBS and FOX this upcoming season. Former Jets and Bills head coach will also be a part of ESPN’s NFL coverage for this upcoming season.
Quotes courtesy of the Associated Press
Featured Image via AP/Matt Rourke
