“I Just Want To Be Happy”: Chip Kelly Explains His Decision to Transfer to Ohio State from UCLA
The Ohio State Buckeyes anticipated that Chip Kelly would be a serious contender to lead Ryan Day’s offense.
Why Chip Kelly, despite being one of the newest questions, is perhaps the most important of the offseason.
To become Ohio State’s offensive coordinator in lieu of Bill O’Brien, why would someone leave a Power Five head coaching position at UCLA, a future Big Ten university with possible big-time spending constraints in the name, image, and likeness game?
Rather than running a program in an image created by Ryan Day, why work for a man who was once his protégé?
Kelly expressed his desire to regain happiness. In his last game with the Bruins, he began directing plays once more, clearly demonstrating that he had reached a Zen state.
The first people to notice were others.
“I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time,” my wife replied, according to Kelly, who made his first press conference as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Buckeyes on Tuesday. “Football, in my opinion, is the best part of sports, so you have to play the game and avoid doing some of the things that come with being a head coach.”
Kelly, who played six seasons for the Bruins, was aware that he would have to call plays when Ryan Gunderson, the quarterbacks coach, left to take a position as Oregon State’s offensive coordinator. He was also scheduled to work with the quarterbacks.
Kelly fell in love with football once more there, getting ready for the LA Bowl showdown versus Boise State. He enjoyed his time as head coach at Oregon, UCLA, and two stints in the NFL, of course, but coordinators deal with problems.
While coordinators and position coaches are frequently left to handle the day-to-day details of ironing out the creases with players, head coaches are also left to handle recruiting trips and impromptu meetings with supporters.
Kelly made up his mind following that week of planning. He would remain with the Bruins as long as they didn’t acquire a prominent coordinator. If the NFL called him, he would think about switching.
Kelly was connected to a number of offensive coordinator positions, including those with the Las Vegas Raiders and the Washington Commanders. Neither followed the seasoned coach.
Then came Ryan Day, who, after O’Brien left for Boston College, need a replacement right away.
Kelly remarked, “I just want to be happy, and I’m really happy to be here and really happy to be coaching a position.”
Day and Kelly have been together since their days in New Hampshire. They both grew up in Manchester before joining the University of New Hampshire as a quarterback-coach duo.
Kelly called Day to be his quarterbacks coach after he was hired as the Philadelphia Eagles head coach. The San Francisco 49ers also had the two in identical roles for a season.
When speaking of his new play-caller, Day noted, “We’ve been friends and we continue to be friends.”I owe him a great deal for where I am now. Therefore, this has nothing to do with any of that, unlike a few men who are currently a part of an amazing program and are attempting to pursue some amazing objectives. He’s been excellent, too.”
Kelly, 60, stated that the modern college football head coach needs to adopt an attitude like to that of a CEO. With three straight defeats to Michigan under his belt going into a pivotal year, Day can finally turn his emphasis away from the playbook.
Giving up control after several years requires trust, but Kelly has merited the respect. Under the playbook wiz, the Bruins have averaged at least 27.5 points per game each season, making him one of college football’s best offensive coordinators.
In terms of designing the offensive play, including which passer gets to start at quarterback, Day will still have the last say. It wouldn’t be the same for Kelly.
Kelly added, “Everything we do here is collaborative.” “One thing that really struck me when I first walked in here is that we have an incredible coaching staff. If you have the opportunity to speak with any of these guys—Brian Hartline, Tim Walton, Jim Knowles, Larry Johnson, or any other member of the staff—about football, you’ll find that they work extremely well together.
“We’re all working to improve ourselves and this team, as well as each other.”
Day does not view Kelly as his boss. The Ohio State head coach does not consider himself superior to his previous boss, even though they may not be equals.
He collaborates with me. That’s simply how things have always been,” Day remarked. “I have loved him for a very long time.”
Kelly, on the other hand, appears at ease in his new position and is prepared to crack jokes and recognize the irony of working for a former player.
He praised, saying, “He makes me call him, ‘Sir.'” “Can you do that on Day 1?” he asked, and I answered, “All right, Ry.”
As long as the Buckeyes are still in the running, Day may go by any moniker he wants: Ry, sir, coach, buddy. Kelly was brought in to call plays for an offense capable of winning a national championship, something both New Hampshire transplants are confident she can do.
“We’re fortunate to be around such a great program that has an unbelievable tradition at a place where we have what’s in place to reach our goals next year,” Day said. That’s what excites us both, as well as every member of the crew.
