Over the past few months, Les Miles had been talked about as one of the hot commodities when the NFL’s coaching carousel swung into high gar. While it remains to be seen whether the events of Monday night would or will have any type of professional cooling effect on Miles’ “pro prospects”, another high-profile college coach’s name is being linked to a current NFL vacancy.
And, just like with Miles, it’s highly unlikely to make it beyond the rumor stage.
Per a report from a Eugene, Ore., radio station, the Miami Dolphins have been in contact with Oregon head coach Chip Kelly regarding their coaching vacancy. Jeff Fisher is believed to be the Dolphins’ choice -- and the choice of the St. Louis Rams as well -- as a replacement for Tony Sparano, but the station writes on its website that "[i]f Fisher doesn’t end up in Miami, that could open the door for Kelly.”
Or it could already be slammed shut and locked.
A high-ranking Dolphins official tells Armondo Salguero of the Miami Herald that the report of the organization contacting Kelly are “not true at all.” Provided we can take the anonymous official’s words at face value, this should put to rest whatever speculation there is connecting Kelly to an NFL vacancy.
The reality is, though, the speculation could be put to rest regardless of what this or any other official connected to an NFL club has to say. As noted by Salguero, the type of offense Kelly runs would very hard to translate and adapt to the NFL level, which is probably an understatement.
There may be a few things Duck fans have to worry about -- coughcoughWillieLylescouchcough -- but losing their head coach to an NFL job is very, very, very low on the list.
(Tip O’ the Cap: the lovely & talented PFT crew)