Getty ImagesEven before a report emerged earlier this week that Oregon will appear before the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions at some point this coming year, Chip Kelly‘s name had been bandied about as a potential option for NFL teams looking for a new head coach this offseason.
The Yahoo! Sports report, though — that the NCAA had slapped aside the university’s attempt at a summary disposition in the Willie Lyles case — fueled speculation that Kelly would pull a Carroll and take his leave of Eugene before potential sanctions, at least temporarily, put a significant dent in the Ducks’ juggernaut football program.
Consider more fuel added to the speculative fire.
In a Sunday report, CBSSports.com NFL insider Jason La Confora writes that, according to league sources, “the Philadelphia Eagles will consider Chip Kelly to replace Andy Reid.” Additionally, as La Confora tells it, “multiple executives with rival teams anticipate Philadelphia making a heavy push to land the Oregon head coach.”
On multiple levels, the reports connecting Kelly to the NFL make sense; in January of this year, Kelly nearly took the Tampa Bay Buccaneers job offered to him before deciding to return to the Ducks. In the weeks leading up to the Tampa wooing, the Miami Dolphins were also reportedly in contact with Kelly about their vacancy.
Thus far, however, Kelly has yet to even remotely address the latest NFL rumors that are swirling around his name once again. In addition to Philadelphia, Kelly has also been connected to potential openings in Cleveland (Browns fan writer’s note: ABS — Anybody But Shurmur) and with the Carolina Panthers.
In the meantime, Oregon will continue preparations for their Jan. 3 Fiesta Bowl date against Kansas State.
Kelly’s not the only collegiate coach to see his name attached to the NFL, though, as Alabama’s Nick Saban has been mentioned multiple times as a possibility in Cleveland as well. On that front, La Confora’s sources say it’s “80-20″ Saban stays in Tuscaloosa. My sources put it at “100-0,” but your mileage based on the Miami debacle may vary.
Saban’s not going anywhere!!! Mrs Terri and Coach love Tuscaloosa. ROLL TIDE ROLL
You just can’t trust a single word that comes out of Saban’s mouth. He says he’s staying, but he ALSO said he was staying in Miami! He says Notre Dame is a great team with a great chance of winning! Literally everything he says is a lie.
It’s all business and nothing personal. He’ll speak with Phil Knight and then decide. And I am not being sarcastic when I say that. If I were in his position, I would speak with Phil Knight too.
Cue the regrettable Andy Reid and “heavy push” jokes….
Serious question: in the last two decades, has any successful offensive-minded college coach enjoyed much success in the NFL?
Please stop with the Saban to NFL talk. He ain’t going back. He has already been exposed as a one trick Ho.
He can’t produce when all teams are equal in spending
He only produces cause he spends for his players when others dont.
Oh,,, and how bout them Steelers??? Overrated as usual. God bless their blind, obnoxious fans lil broken hearts
Please no! Keep that gimmick crap in the NCAA. We just suffered trough a gimmick-type offense, we don’t need another one. We want hard-nosed, smash-mouth football. That’s why we want Jon Gruden.
phillyphan83 says:
That’s why we want Jon Gruden.
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As a Philly fan, I say speak for yourself. In my mind and the minds of other eagles fans I speak with, the jury is still out on Gruden. When I listen to Gruden’s analysis, I don’t hear a guy who I want for a head coach.
To the La Confora article. It seems pretty silly on a couple accounts. First, it isn’t so difficult to say the Eagles will consider Kelly. That’s what you do. You make a list of possible coaches. Kelly is on the list. There. Kelly is now under consideration. The second thing who cares what rival executves anticipate.
Old katty, I’d say that “one trick ho” Saban has done more by a factor of 1,000 over what you’ve accomplished…
I love it when people take shots at great producers from their sofa….sitting back and talking smack….having done truly nothing themselves…
I also love the chorus of “Saban is a liar”….he is the only person who changed his mind after repeated attempts to lure him by AL….nope, all of the cheap seat critics have never told a lie or changed their minds.
The truth is that when Saban changed his mind….people cared. When a cheap seat critic changes their mind? Nobody gives a good damn. But, that doesn’t excuse the fact that the cheap seat crowd are all a bunch of massive hypocrites. Liars who call other people liars….
Katty, you’d do well to master a trick as good as Saban….
Merry Christmas
I’d say the odds of Kelly turning into a top NFL coach are pretty long. Full credit for having success at Oregon, but his resume as a head guy is limited, his offense isn’t a slam-dunk conversion to the NFL, and way more college guys disappoint than succeed at the pro level. I can see having him on the list, but if he’s at the top of the list Philly has some serious front office issues.
As long as we can get a legit DC in Philly along with him, I say lets do it!!!
Foles is not a the best QB for a Chip Kelly offense. Wonder how that will work???
More important is who they bring in as the defensive coordinator
For Chip to be successful in the NFL, he would need a QB like Russel Wilson or RG3 running the offense, and a team willing to train to handle the exhausting demands of a no-huddle offense.
Serious question: in the last two decades, has any successful offensive-minded college coach enjoyed much success in the NFL?
Too soon to count Jim Harbough?
A guy like Russel Wilson or RG3? (No disrespect to either, they are good athletes) But NO THANKS, I’m sick of the running QBs who only end up being tired and injury prone. I’ll take a much taller, smarter, and durable QB over them any day. Been there, done that. Overrated. Go Foles!
I am all for Chip Kelly. First of all, you can’t win by running the ball in the NFL anymore so forget all of the “tough guys” who want smashmouth football. Also, it has been reported that Bill Belichick consulted Kelly prior to the season to gain more info on the fast paced offense he runs. Anyone who Bill Belichick respects is alright in my book.
and with the 147th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft that Philadelphia Eagles select………… Denard Robinson, QB (Athlete) Michigan.
Watch him bolt for the Arizona Cardinals. Why not?
KattyKathy? Can you count to 6? Let me help you. One, … I’ll stop there because my guess is that’s all the higher you can count.
I guess it takes a “lil” man with such low self esteem to personally attack another person, just because of an opinion about a coach. That bravado would be so admirable if it wasn’t for the fact that they are only trying to overcompensate for areas of manhood that are very much lacking.
Very very sad indeed.
Merry Xmas to all, going to spend time with family and enjoy my wonderful life.
Who cares about Saban, Kelly, or the two twerps here.
MY MAN WENT TO JARED’S !!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU SANTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It does pay to be a good girl
Good riddance to bad rubbish!
Notre Dame will shock the world on Jauary 7, 2013.
mrba4775 you must be dreaming.
ROLL TIDE ROLL