Chip Kelly is headed back to the Big Ten - this time with a headset and a play sheet, not the head coach’s whistle.
Northwestern has officially named Kelly its new offensive coordinator, bringing one of college football’s most recognizable offensive minds to Evanston. He’ll join head coach David Braun’s staff as Braun enters his fourth season at the helm.
It’s a big-name hire for a program that’s looking to build on recent momentum, and it signals a clear direction: Northwestern wants to get creative - and fast - on offense.
Kelly’s résumé is nothing short of expansive. Over 35 years in the game, he’s coached at nearly every level, from small college programs to the NFL, and everywhere in between.
Most recently, he served as the offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders, though his time in that role was cut short when he was let go midway through the season. Before that, he was dialing up plays for Ohio State in 2024 - a season that ended with a national championship for the Buckeyes.
Now, he brings that experience to the Wildcats, a team that’s quietly been rebuilding under Braun after a few turbulent years.
Kelly’s coaching journey started back in 1990 at Columbia after his playing days as a defensive back at New Hampshire. From there, he bounced around the college ranks, including stints at Johns Hopkins and his alma mater, before landing the offensive coordinator gig at Oregon in 2007. That’s where things really took off.
Under Kelly, the Ducks became one of the most electrifying offenses in college football. His up-tempo, spread-based attack gave defenses fits and helped revolutionize the way college teams approached offensive football. It wasn’t long before he was promoted to head coach in 2009.
During his four years leading Oregon, Kelly went 46-7, including three straight seasons with at least 12 wins. The Ducks were a constant in the national title conversation and played with a speed and style that became his trademark.
That success caught the attention of the NFL. Kelly made the jump to the pros in 2013, taking over as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.
He posted a 26-21 record over three seasons before being let go. A one-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers followed, but it ended with a 2-14 record and another pink slip.
After that, Kelly returned to the college game with UCLA, where he spent six seasons as head coach. His time in Westwood was a mixed bag - flashes of offensive brilliance, moments of inconsistency - and he ultimately finished with a 35-34 record before stepping away to join Ohio State’s staff.
Now, at 62, Kelly is back in a coordinator role - and back in the Big Ten. But make no mistake: this isn’t a retirement tour. This is a coach who still believes in his system, still wants to innovate, and still has plenty to offer.
For Northwestern, the hire is a statement. They’re not just looking to tread water in a loaded Big Ten - they want to push the pace, stretch the field, and give opposing defenses something to think about.
And with Chip Kelly calling the shots on offense, they just might do exactly that.