What if Chip Kelly never left Oregon for the Philadelphia Eagles?
By Logan Shaw
Jan 1, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman (21) celebrates making a touchdown with teammates during the second half against the Florida State Seminoles in the 2015 Rose Bowl college football game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Would Chip Kelly be an Ace Recruiter?
This is an absolute yes.
As I stated earlier, during Kelly’s tenure as the Ducks’ head coach, the Ducks averaged the thirteenth best recruiting class in the nation. That level of recruiting would either improve or continue if Kelly stayed in Eugene. Kids love Kelly.
Saying all this, Helfrich is not doing a bad job, either. In Helfrich’s two full recruiting classes as Oregon’s head coach, he’s averaged the No. 22 class in the nation. That’s nothing to be upset about. However, compared to Kelly’s first two classes, Helfrich has work to do to see if he can find the next Mariota.
In Kelly’s first two years as the Ducks’ head coach, he brought in the No. 13 and No. 9 classes in the nation, per rivals. Kelly sold swagger and a new type of football. Recruits loved it.
Kelly’s classes would only improve, but at what risk? During the last year of Kelly’s tenure, the Oregon football program was under investigation for a certain usage of scouting services. Oregon was penalized, resulting in loss of scholarships and probation. Kelly was long gone by then.
In Helfrich’s defense, Oregon losing Kelly sort of lost some of the momentum for the Ducks on the recruiting trail. However, Helfrich is doing a great job, and is slowly reloading the Ducks for potential playoff runs in the future.
Next: What about the Eagles?