It seemed like self-demotion, Chip Kelly leaving the head coaching job at UCLA to be the offensive coordinator at Ohio State. But during Big Ten Media Days, we’re seeing the mutual attraction that lured Kelly to Columbus.
Buckeyes coach Ryan Day opened up about the new man in charge of Ohio State’s high powered offense in Indianapolis. “Chip is here for a reason, to run the offense,” Day said. “It’s my job as the head coach to look on the horizon and figure out what’s coming. In this conference, have experience of what’s coming down the road, the games we need to win, how we need to win. Also, the type of players that we have. That will be my input in the offense.”
Ohio State’s Ryan Day (on change of offense w/OC Chip Kelly): “We knew we need a quarterback that has an ability to run. Having a threat of that. … Chip can bring us to the next level”
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 23, 2024
“We knew we need a quarterback that has an ability to run. Having a threat of that,” Day continued. “Chip can bring us to the next level.”
Day is hoping the team up with Kelly can get the Buckeyes over the hump and beat Michigan en route to a national title. “Chip is one of the best offensive minds in the history of college football in my opinion,” Day said. “When you look at any offense, you’re trying to figure out what plays maximize the guys you have in the locker room. Chip has a background of doing things a lot of different ways.”
Ryan Day on new OC, former Oregon Ducks coach Chip Kelly: ‘I trust Chip with my life’ https://t.co/xjv3P3zIkK
— Ryan Clarke (@RyanTClarke) July 23, 2024
Day and Kelly go way back. Day played for Kelly at New Hampshire and later coached with him three times, including with the 49ers. That trust and admiration were a big reason Day pursued Kelly for a seemingly lesser job, “I trust Chip with my life. That’s an important thing any time you’re handing something over that you’ve done basically your entire career.”