Could Oregon Bring Back Familiar Faces? Why Chip Kelly and Justin Wilcox Make Sense for the Ducks’ Next Chapter
The Oregon Ducks are staring down a pivotal offseason, and the decisions they make in the coming months could shape the future of the program for years to come. With the coaching carousel spinning at full speed-especially in the SEC and even across some NFL sidelines-Oregon finds itself in a familiar but critical position: potentially needing to reload its coaching staff with proven, high-level talent.
Let’s start with the biggest domino that could fall: offensive coordinator Will Stein. By all accounts, Stein is on the verge of landing a head coaching gig, with heavy buzz pointing toward the Kentucky Wildcats.
And honestly, it’s no surprise. Stein has been nothing short of electric in Eugene.
His aggressive, modern approach to offense has breathed new life into the Ducks’ attack-spreading defenses out, leaning on physical backs, dialing up creative formations, and never hesitating to take a deep shot. His style has been tailor-made for the speed and explosiveness that Oregon is known for.
But if Stein leaves-as seems likely-the Ducks will need someone who not only understands that identity but can elevate it. Enter Chip Kelly.
Yes, that Chip Kelly.
The 62-year-old may have just been let go as the offensive coordinator of the Las Vegas Raiders midway through the 2025 NFL season, but his track record in college football-especially in Eugene-is undeniable. Kelly’s first stint with the Ducks was nothing short of legendary.
As offensive coordinator from 2007-08 and head coach from 2009-2012, he compiled a staggering 46-7 record. He led Oregon to the 2011 BCS National Championship Game, won the 2012 Rose Bowl, and capped off his tenure with a Fiesta Bowl victory in 2013.
His up-tempo, spread offense didn’t just win games-it changed the way college football was played.
And here’s the kicker: he’s still got it.
Kelly’s most recent college success came just last season, when he helped guide Ohio State to a national title in 2024. His Buckeyes offense averaged 6.9 yards per play-fourth-best in the FBS-and put up 35.7 points per game, tied for 12th nationally.
Just as importantly, they protected the football, averaging only one turnover per game. That’s the kind of efficient, explosive production Oregon fans have come to expect.
And Kelly knows exactly how to deliver it.
What makes the potential reunion even more intriguing is the quarterback situation. If redshirt sophomore Dante Moore decides to return for the 2026 season-a decision that could hinge on Oregon’s College Football Playoff performance and Moore’s NFL Draft stock-Kelly would be walking into a perfect scenario.
The two already have a working relationship from their time together at UCLA in 2023, and Kelly has a firm grasp on Moore’s strengths and areas for growth. That kind of familiarity could be invaluable as Oregon looks to reload, not rebuild.
But offense isn’t the only side of the ball where Oregon could see changes.
Defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi is reportedly in the mix for the head coaching job at Cal, his alma mater. Lupoi was a standout defensive lineman for the Golden Bears in the early 2000s and later launched his coaching career there. If he does head back to Berkeley, Oregon would be wise to consider another familiar name to fill the void: Justin Wilcox.
Wilcox, a former Ducks defensive back from 1996 to 1999, was just let go after a long run as Cal’s head coach. And while his tenure in Berkeley had its ups and downs, there’s no questioning his defensive acumen or his ties to the Oregon program. A Eugene native with deep roots in the Ducks’ culture, Wilcox could bring a steady, experienced hand to Dan Lanning’s staff-someone who understands both the expectations and the unique energy that comes with coaching in Autzen Stadium.
Bringing back both Kelly and Wilcox wouldn’t just be about nostalgia. It would be about continuity, identity, and leveraging proven experience at the highest levels of college football. These are coaches who know how to win, who know Oregon, and who-if the pieces fall into place-could help the Ducks stay on the national stage in a rapidly shifting landscape.
The next few weeks will be telling. But if Oregon plays its cards right, this offseason could be less about rebuilding and more about reloading-with some very familiar faces leading the charge.