Why Hiring Chip Kelly Back to the Oregon Ducks Makes Sense

Coach Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks athletic department have some big questions to answer in the coming months. With the coaching carousel in full swing across programs, especially with the SEC, and even certain NFL franchises, a number of experienced candidates have become available.

Chip Kelly, former Oregon Ducks head coach, was fired as the offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders halfway through the 2025 NFL season. If Oregon's current offensive coordinator Will Stein leaves the Ducks for a head coaching position, would it make sense for Kelly to be considered as a replacement option?

Kelly was Oregon's offensive coordinator from 2007-08 and the head coach from 2009-2012 with a 46-7 overall record. The now 62-year-old won the 2013 Fiesta Bowl, appeared in two Rose Bowls (winning in 2012), as well as the 2011 BCS national championship game during that span.

He knows the university. He knows Eugene. He knows what it takes to win. Here are three reasons why Oregon should hire Kelly back.

Oregon offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Will Stein works with the team as the Oregon Ducks practice ahead of the Rose Bowl Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Ore. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Oregon needs a home run name to replace Will Stein

Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein is on his way out the door; it's inevitable, as he's one of the most sought-after coaches right now to help turn around a school's football plan of action. As of late, Stein, a Louisville, Kentucky native, is rumored to be taking the head job in Lexington with the Kentucky Wildcats.

He has left his mark on the program inside Autzen Stadium with his gun-slinging, aggressive, yet modern approach to running up the scoreboard. He spreads defenses horizontally, runs with physical backs, incorporates trick plays, uses formations to create mismatches/put players in space, and loves to take shots downfield.

Kelly has a similar combative point of view on how an offense should run, both with his first stint with the Ducks and recently in Columbus, Ohio.

Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Chip Kelly celebrates after winning against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Kelly led one of the top offenses with Ohio State just a season ago

On his way to winning the 2024 national championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes, Kelly's offense averaged 6.9 yards per play (fourth-highest in FBS), created a scoring offense tied for No. 12 in the country (35.7 points per game), and only turned the ball over 1.0 times per game (tied for No. 105 least).

These types of numbers fit the standard of what Oregon is looking for, and he knows how to get to the mountain top with it. Kelly's previous experience matters in the type of role as Lanning's right-hand man.

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Oregon quarterback Dante Moore celebrates after the game as the Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Pairing Kelly alongside Dante Moore once again

This point only makes sense if redshirt sophomore quarterback Dante Moore does indeed decide to return to school in 2026. That is dependent on how Oregon ends up finishing in the College Football Playoff and where his NFL Draft stock stands by the end of the season.

Kelly knows the strengths and weaknesses of Moore, having been with the UCLA Bruins together for the 2023 season.

Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi directs his players during warmups before the Spring Game at Autzen in Eugene April 26, 2025 | Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Tosh Lupoi on his way to Cal?

Current defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi's name has been thrown around a ton as the possible next head coach of the California Golden Bears. Lupoi played in Berkeley, California, as a defensive lineman from 2000-05. He actually led the Golden Bears' defensive line in tackles in the 2003 season and would later be the defensive line coach from 2008 to 2011 to begin his coaching career.

Who would be his replacement in the Pacific Northwest? Bringing back Justin Wilcox to his alma mater (Ducks' defensive back from 1996-99) at the defensive coordinator position makes sense. After being let go from his head coaching duties with California (2017 through 2025), it should be time for the valued leader on the defensive side of the ball to head back home as well.

The Eugene, Oregon native would love nothing more than to go back to his old stomping grounds with such a prominent, national powerhouse.