Chip Kelly makes feelings known about returning to Oregon ahead of Week 7 showdown
As if this week's showdown between Ohio State and Oregon needed more juice, there's a massive storyline besides the on-field play. Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly is coming to Autzen Stadium and Oregon with the Buckeyes for the first time. Not only will fans be looking forward to the No. 2 vs. No. 3 overall team, […]
As if this week's showdown between Ohio State and Oregon needed more juice, there's a massive storyline besides the on-field play. Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly is coming to Autzen Stadium and Oregon with the Buckeyes for the first time.
Not only will fans be looking forward to the No. 2 vs. No. 3 overall team, but this offers the chance for Kelly and the Ducks to each get a little bit of an extra win. Kelly was asked about the Buckeyes playing in Oregon and his return to where he set the football world ablaze once, and we have his response.
“It’s a special place,” Kelly said. “It’s a great chance for our players to play in one of the special places in college football. … I’m fired up for our players.”
"Besides family and those coaches that I worked with, I'll get the chance to see very quickly; it's about the game."
Kelly also added that former head coaches Rich Brooks and Mike Bellotti built the program, not him.
Kelly's coaching career at the University of Oregon, spanning from 2007 to 2012, was transformative for the program and college football. Initially hired as Oregon's offensive coordinator in 2007, Kelly introduced a fast-paced, no-huddle offense that quickly caught the college football world's attention.
His innovative play-calling and focus on speed helped Oregon’s offense become one of the most prolific in the nation. After two successful seasons as the offensive coordinator, Kelly was promoted to head coach in 2009, succeeding Mike Bellotti.
Under Kelly’s leadership, Oregon reached new heights. In his first season as head coach, he led the Ducks to a 10-3 record and a berth in the Rose Bowl.
However, it was in 2010 that Kelly truly made his mark, guiding Oregon to a perfect 12-0 regular season and a spot in the BCS National Championship Game. Although the Ducks lost a heartbreaker to Auburn, Kelly's impact was undeniable.
A high-octane offense and unprecedented success defined Kelly’s tenure at Oregon. His teams won three Pac-12 Championships (2009, 2010, 2011) and consistently ranked among the top teams in the country. The Ducks’ spread-option offense, emphasizing speed, quick decision-making, and relentless tempo, became his signature.
Oregon’s dominance during this era included four consecutive BCS bowl appearances, further cementing Kelly’s reputation as one of the most innovative minds in football.
Despite his success, Kelly left Oregon in 2013 to pursue opportunities in the NFL, where he coached the Philadelphia Eagles. His tenure at Oregon remains one of the most celebrated periods in the program’s history, fundamentally changing how modern college football is played.
Chip Kelly is proving to be the perfect mad genius to help Ryan Day's Ohio State offense hit its peak
The Ohio State Buckeyes welcomed their first Big Ten foe with a resounding answer as to whether they'd be ready for battle. Their beatdown of Michigan State went so well that both teams had backups in by the fourth quarter. While the Ohio State defense represented itself more than well enough with three forced turnovers, […]
He's seen a lot of success already with the Buckeyes, pushing the right buttons when he's needed to. But Oregon is a different beast, and the nation will be watching to see what he can dial up in primetime.
