Chip Kelly is returning to college football. The widely successful former Oregon head coach hasn’t taken over another college football program, he’s been hired by ESPN as a college football studio analyst. Kelly will also work some NFL coverage for ESPN.

Ralph D. Russo of the AP was the first to report the hire. Kelly will work the Saturday pregame, halftime and wrap-up shows on ESPN2. ESPN has announced Kelly’s contract is a multiyear deal.

“Over the last 30 years, I have experienced football from one perspective – as a coach,” said Chip Kelly. “Working in television will allow me to see the game from a different angle; simultaneously, I‘ll provide viewers an insight to the mindset of a coach and team while offering alternative views of various situations.”

ESPN senior coordinating producer Lee Fitting, most known for his work on ESPN College GameDay, expressed his excitement to see Kelly joining the college football team at ESPN.

“Chip is one of the most innovative football minds of our generation,” said Fitting via statement. “As a coach, he saw the game from a unique perspective, never afraid to take an unconventional approach. We want him to bring that mentality to our college football coverage each week, offering fans a varying viewpoint outside of the conventional thought process.”

Kelly coached at Oregon from 2007-2012, taking over the head coaching duties in 2009. His worst record in Eugene was 10-3, his first season as head coach, the team went on to three consecutive 12 win seasons to end his four-year run with Oregon. In his second season as head coach, Kelly led Oregon to the National Championship Game, where the Ducks lost by a score of 22-19 to a Cam Newton-led Auburn.

Considering Kelly will likely be one of, if not the biggest, available free agent coach on the market heading into next season, this analyst role should serve as a soft landing spot as the potential job market opens up for the former Oregon coach. Urban Meyer served in a similar capacity for ESPN after leaving Florida and before taking over the Ohio State football program.