Chip Kelly’s name is already popping up in more than one offseason conversation, and Nebraska may be the first place to watch.
With Dana Holgorsen out in Lincoln, Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI’s Jeremy Pernell floated Kelly as a fit to replace him as the Huskers’ play-caller. Pernell argued that Nebraska probably can’t win a bidding war with cash, so the pitch would have to be about the job itself.
“That makes it unlikely Nebraska could persuade him to come to Lincoln using financial incentives. They would have to lean on the Cornhusker gig being far more prestigious and the challenge of resurrecting a blue-blood program. His ego may actually lend to him being interested in the job,” Pernell wrote.
He added, “I have no idea whether he’d entertain leaving Northwestern after just one season. But given his experience, offensive philosophy, and proven ability to call plays against Big Ten competition, I’d absolutely want to find out.”
Glenn Thomas is handling the offense as Nebraska’s interim play-caller, but the way the season has unraveled, it would take a strong finish for him to get the job full time. The bigger picture in Lincoln is even murkier, with multiple openings potentially on the table. Matt Rhule is not viewed as safe if Big Red’s input carries weight, and the Rhule era has cost plenty without much to show for it.
Kelly’s name is also being tied to Ohio State in a different way. If Ryan Day decides to make a change on offense, Kelly is being framed as one of the cleanest options available.
Arthur Smith’s early run with the program has cooled after starting quarterback Julian Sayin’s injury left the offense unable to keep pace. Smith is not on the hot seat, but there are people who do not want him back next season. Kelly, meanwhile, could be the rare hire that brings some immediate goodwill.
That’s especially true after Kelly left Columbus for the Las Vegas Raiders and rebuilt his reputation at Northwestern. If Smith lands an NFL job and moves on, Kelly would be in position to step in.
There’s also a family angle: Day’s son, RJ, committed to the Wildcats, and Kelly was part of that equation. A return to Ohio State could also open the door to bringing RJ back home.
For a fan base that has already had enough of being burned by the Smith hire, the appeal is obvious. Kelly may be the safest name in the mix, and that kind of comfort matters if Day ends up reshaping his offensive staff.
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Ryan Day said there had simply been too many detrimental plays to keep things as they were, and the staff is now reshuffling responsibilities to finish the season. Senior analyst Rob Keys will oversee special teams the rest of the way, with other coaches taking on specific units, a sign that Ohio State is trying to steady one of the most frustrating parts of its operation before it costs them again. [Read more 🡒]
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Martin has kept working alongside Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair, staying in the mix while the Buckeyes sort through their options. He has spoken confidently about the group and noted that Sayin remains supportive during his recovery, which only adds another layer to a situation that is still unfolding. For now, Martin is waiting for a chance that has not come yet, but the fact that Day is even floating game usage suggests Ohio States backup picture is far from settled. [Read more 🡒]
Jake Diebler Calls Out One Buckeyes Problem That Could Get Exposed
Ohio State has managed to stay above water through its first three games, but the opening minutes after halftime have become an obvious concern for Jake Dieblers group. In each of those contests, the Buckeyes have stumbled out of the locker room, getting outscored 35-16 in the first four minutes of the second half, a stretch that has put extra stress on a team still trying to settle in early this season.
Diebler has already pointed to the need for better starts after the break, and the timing is hardly ideal with No. 4 UConn next on the schedule. Against a Huskies team that can punish lapses quickly, Ohio State cannot afford to keep giving away momentum in the same window, especially if it wants to turn its 2-1 start into something sturdier. [Read more 🡒]