UCLA Football: Chip Kelly Details Shift in Approach Due to 2023 Team
Saying farewell to many names from their 2022 team, UCLA's football team has many new recruits and has forced the coaching staff's hand to change their tactics to address how the fresh roster will respond.
Such a job falls on Bruins head coach Chip Kelly, who mentioned the differences between this season's squad to last year's in more ways than one.
“They’re awesome,” Kelly told The Times. “They love playing football and they love each other more importantly and they want everybody to be successful, so I think our whole coaching staff would echo that — this is a fun group to be around. Just because they have fun playing football, they’re not like elementary school kids that are screwballing around. They enjoy playing ball, they’re dedicated to their passion and I think because they have that mind-set, it challenges you as a coach that you better be prepared and ready when you walk in a meeting room because those guys are ready and prepared, so that part has been outstanding. And so yeah, that probably has an effect” on his demeanor.
Veterans on the roster from last season that have moved onto their NFL pursuits included Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Jake Bobo and Zach Charbonnet as three pieces to a Bruin offense that was quite unstoppable last year.
Knowing that he won't have such pieces at his luxury this year, new names have emerged to plug the holes for the former Oregon Ducks head coach last decade.
After stints with both the Eagles and the 49ers didn't necessarily go his way, Kelly's found a home back in the college game at UCLA, and his influence through a pro-style offense has already helped the aforementioned former players earn NFL roster spots.
Now, it's up to the 2023 team to show their stuff, and with Kelly at the helm, new expectations, and a new attitude will surely help them grow.
