Big 10 Show: "Chip Kelly Is The Biggest Coordinator Hire Of The Last Decade"
Adam Carriker of Bleav's The Big 10 Show has weighed in with a piping-hot take on the new Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who just left a head coaching gig at 2024 rival Big 10 program UCLA for what's essentially a demotion.
Kelly led the Bruins to a 35-34 overall record during his tenure at the school, and three bowl games (one win).
"So Chip Kelly, he may be non-head coaching wise the biggest hire that's happened in the past decade as far as coordinators -- offense, defense," Carriker said. "Nebraska fans would argue Tony White -- and by the way we are all very glad he didn't go to to be the head coach at UCLA. I was very happy about that. Let's go back to Ohio State, though, because you've got [head coach] Ryan Day, a guy who's got an entire roster that is motivated, much like Michigan was this time last year."
"They've got a lot of guys coming back," Carriker added. "You've got Chip Kelly, probably the best offensive coordinator in the country, certainly in the conversation, if not at the top of it. Then you bring in [quarterback] Will Howard, a guy who is going to give... a dynamic element with his legs, which you've not had there for a while."
"Ohio State to me is clearly the team to beat in the Big Ten. And like I said, I got them number two to Georgia right now, but I might swap them eventually in this offseason," Carriker proclaimed.
Kelly was the offensive coordinator for New Hampshire and Oregon before assuming the head coaching job at the latter in 2009. He led the Ducks to a sparkling 46-7 overall record during his four seasons at the head of the program, including two 12-1 seasons, two Rose Bowl showings (one win), and one National College Game appearance. This is his first non-head coaching gig since 2008.
