Northwestern is making a bold move to bolster its offense, bringing in Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator, per sources. It's a significant hire that signals the Wildcats are serious about taking the next step under head coach David Braun.
Kelly, 62, returns to the college game after a short-lived stint with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he served as offensive coordinator for 11 games in 2025. It wasn’t the smoothest ride-his offense struggled, ranking 30th in success rate and dead last in EPA/play, according to Ben Baldwin’s metrics.
That led to his dismissal in late November. But don’t let that one chapter overshadow the rest of the story.
Kelly’s track record in college football remains one of the most innovative and impactful of the past two decades.
Just a year before his NFL detour, Kelly helped Ohio State capture a national championship as the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator in 2024. That unit finished 14th nationally in scoring and dropped 34 points on Notre Dame in the title game-no small feat against one of the nation’s toughest defenses. It was a reminder that when Kelly is in rhythm, his offenses can still hum with the best of them.
His coaching journey has been a winding one, but always tied to offensive ingenuity. After making his name with the high-octane, tempo-driven system at Oregon in the late 2000s, Kelly was promoted to head coach of the Ducks in 2009.
Over four seasons, he turned Eugene into one of the most feared offensive outposts in the sport. That success launched him into the NFL, where he led the Philadelphia Eagles and later the San Francisco 49ers.
He returned to the college ranks in 2018, taking over at UCLA and guiding the Bruins through six seasons before stepping aside in 2023.
Now, he steps into a Northwestern program that’s quietly building something under Braun. The Wildcats went 7-6 this season, capped by a dominant 34-7 win over Central Michigan in the GameAbove Sports Bowl. It was their second straight bowl victory under Braun, who now sits at 19-19 overall as head coach and a perfect 2-0 in postseason play.
Kelly replaces Zach Lujan, whose contract is set to expire. While Northwestern’s 22.5 points per game in 2025 ranked just 15th in the Big Ten, there’s reason to believe that number could rise quickly with Kelly calling plays. His offensive philosophy-rooted in tempo, spacing, and quarterback efficiency-has a way of elevating talent, even when the roster isn’t loaded with blue-chip recruits.
This hire isn’t just about scheme-it’s about experience. Kelly brings a wealth of knowledge from both the college and pro levels, and his presence in Evanston adds a layer of credibility to a program that’s been steadily climbing back into relevance. If he can rekindle some of the magic that made his Oregon offenses must-watch television, Northwestern could be in for a serious offensive upgrade in 2026.
One thing’s for sure: with Kelly back in the college ranks and Braun continuing to build momentum, the Wildcats just became a far more intriguing team to watch.