Amid a quеst for rеdеmption following two consеcutivе bowl gamе lossеs (2022-2023) to arch-rival Michigan, hеad coach Ryan Day finds himself at a crossroads. With Jim Harbaugh‘s dеparturе from college football, Day is dеtеrminеd to stееr the Buckеyеs‘ to victory in thе upcoming sеason.

To bolstеr thеir coaching staff, Ohio State еmbarkеd on a comprеhеnsivе ovеrhaul, complеtе with lucrativе dеals for thе coaching staff. Howеvеr, thе spotlight shinеs brightеst on Day’s stratеgic movе in hiring Chip Kеlly as thе nеw Offеnsivе Coordinator replacing Bill O’Brien. What really promptеd Day to еnlist a formеr NFL hеad coach for this rolе?

In an interview with Late Kick’s Josh Pate, aired on April 24, Day emphasized Kelly’s extensive coaching experience in both college football and the NFL, citing it as a crucial factor in the hiring process. Day noted, “Just going through the offseason and recognizing all the things that are coming at us nowadays, with NIL and with the portal, it is a bigger task right now for head coaches. But even some of the rule changes, like the two-minute warning, and things like that, are all going to change schematically how things go. So I think that is going to allow me an opportunity to get freed up.”

Acknowledging the talent within his coaching staff, Day expressed confidence in their abilities but stressed the importance of finding the right fit for the team’s current needs. “

So we have a great group in there. But I felt like, for where we are with this team right now, we really needed somebody who was a former head coach who had experience either in the NFL or at the highest level of college football calling plays, because there’s no experience for that like there’s no way you can just replace that experience,” explained Day. Indeed, Day found the right offensive guy for the Buckeyes in Kelly.

Chip Kelly’s impressive career record

Chip Kelly’s coaching pedigree, which includes stints at Oregon, the Philadelphia Eagles, the San Francisco 49ers, and UCLA, made him the ideal candidate to join the Buckeyes’ O-line coaching staff. During his ten-year tenure as a college head coach, Kelly amassed an impressive 81-41 record while leading programs at Oregon and UCLA, both of which are now part of the Big Ten for the 2024 season.

During his time at Oregon, spanning four seasons, Kelly guided the Ducks to notable bowl appearances, including two Rose Bowls, a Fiesta Bowl, and a BCS National Championship game, where they faced Auburn. His record at Oregon stood at an impressive 46-7. What is even more intriguing is Kelly’s connection with Day runs deep, as Day previously played quarterback under Kelly at New Hampshire and later served on his coaching staff for both the Eagles and the 49ers.

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Moreover, joining Ohio State as an offensive coordinator, Kelly has been offered a lucrative salary of $2 million per year, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the country. Although initially there was some skepticism surrounding Kelly’s decision to step down from a HC position, Kelly emphasized his passion for coaching football and his desire to focus solely on the game without the administrative responsibilities of a head coach.

As Kelly puts it, “To me, the best part of football is football.” His move to Ohio State has allowed him to fully immerse himself in the game while mentoring young athletes, a decision he finds fulfilling and rewarding.