Chip Kelly Leaving Oregon for The Philadelphia Eagles
By Kyle Kensing
Jan 3, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks coach Chip Kelly (right) and linebacker Michael Clay (46) celebrate after the 2013 Fiesta Bowl against the Kansas State Wildcats at University of Phoenix Stadium. Oregon defeated Kansas State 35-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
Less than two weeks after declining the initial advances of the NFL, Oregon head coach is headed to the Philadelphia Eagles. The University of Oregon’s official Twitter account confirmed initial reports on Wednesday.
Chip Kelly has informed the University of Oregon he accepted a position as head coach of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles
— GoDucks (@GoDucks) January 16, 2013
ESPN.com’s Chris Mortensen first reported the news on Wednesday morning, to which FOX scoop-hound Jay Glazer tweeted follow-up confirmation.
Chip Kelly is the new coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, according to league sources. No announcement yet.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) January 16, 2013
Yes I can confirm Chip Kelly is going to Eagles.
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) January 16, 2013
Oregon is facing an NCAA investigation, focused primarily on the program’s involved with Willie Lyles, a Texas-based recruiting service agent. Any connection between Kelly’s departure and the ongoing NCAA investigation is purely speculative, though the situation is akin to Pete Carroll leaving USC three years ago. Carroll accepted an opening with the Seattle Seahawks during an NCAA inquiry that led to USC receiving the stiffest sanctions since Auburn in the mid-1990s.
This reported move comes late in the coaching search game for Oregon, but the influx of Nike money Phil Knight commits to the program should have other programs on guard.
Stay tuned to SaturdayBlitz.com for more.