Ohio State to hire sitting college head coach for vacant OC position, per report

Ohio State is expected to hire UCLA head coach Chip Kelly as its next offensive coordinator, according to a report.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on Friday afternoon that a deal between Ohio State and Kelly could come together as soon as Friday. Thamel also reports that UCLA has been made aware of Kelly’s potential departure and is planning a national search to find a replacement head coach.

Source: UCLA has been made aware of Chip Kelly's potential departure and is planning a national search for a replacement. https://t.co/N6DnPXyzQR

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 9, 2024

Kelly has a long history with Ohio State coach Ryan Day. Day played quarterback at New Hampshire from 1998-2001 while Kelly was on staff with the Wildcats. Kelly was the program’s offensive coordinator for most of Day’s time with the program as a player. In 2002, Day was the tight ends coach at New Hampshire while Kelly was the offensive coordinator.

Day also spent time on Kelly’s coaching staff during his 2 NFL stints. Day was Kelly’s quarterbacks coach in 2015 with the Philadelphia Eagles and in 2016 with the San Francisco 49ers.

Kelly’s departure from UCLA comes after heavy speculation that he would be fired at the conclusion of the 2023 regular season. UCLA decided to keep Kelly for the 2024 campaign, but will now face a coaching search that could drag into mid-February.

Kelly spent 6 years as UCLA’s head coach. He leaves the Bruins with a 35-34 record overall and 3 postseason appearances. UCLA’s best season with Kelly at the helm came in 2022 when the program went 9-4 overall and 6-3 in Pac-12 play.

Kelly replaces Bill O’Brien, who was hired by Ohio State earlier this offseason. O’Brien has reportedly accepted the Boston College head coaching job.

While UCLA is joining the Big Ten next season, Kelly and the Buckeyes will not face UCLA in the 2024 regular season.