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Chip Kelly hired as head coach of the UCLA Bruins

By George Stockburger

EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 1: Head coach Chip Kelly of the Oregon Ducks during the second quarter against the Arkansas State Red Wolves on September 1, 2012 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 1: Head coach Chip Kelly of the Oregon Ducks during the second quarter against the Arkansas State Red Wolves on September 1, 2012 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer/Getty Images) /
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Chip Kelly returns to the PAC-12 as the head coach of the UCLA Bruins

UCLA has hired former Oregon head coach Chip Kelly to replace Jim Mora Jr. as their next head football coach. First reported by the Los Angeles Times and confirmed by ESPN Kelly will leave his role as an analyst on ESPN to join the Bruins.

A hype video posted on the Bruins Twitter account later confirmed Kelly’s hiring Saturday afternoon.

Known for a devotion towards sports science and a mesmerizing up-tempo offense Kelly was originally thought to be the favorite for the Florida Gators head coach job. Once UCLA moved on from Mora it became clear a return to the PAC-12 was destined for Kelly.

Kelly owned the college football landscape as the head coach at Oregon with a 46-7 record over four seasons. His second year culminated with a loss in the BCS Championship, but his career was saved by wins in the Rose and Fiesta Bowl.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 17: Chip Kelly talks to the media after being introduced as the new head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles during a news conference at the team’s NovaCare Complex on January 17, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The former Oregon coach surprised many after he initially turned down NFL clubs saying he would remain at Oregon. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 17: Chip Kelly talks to the media after being introduced as the new head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles during a news conference at the team’s NovaCare Complex on January 17, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The former Oregon coach surprised many after he initially turned down NFL clubs saying he would remain at Oregon. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Following the Fiesta Bowl victory Kelly was hired by the Philadelphia Eagles to replace long-time coach Andy Reid. After making the playoffs in his first season and pushing general manager Howie Roseman out of the front office Kelly’s tenure in Philadelphia took a downward spiral.

Philadelphia fired Kelly after three seasons with a record of 26-21 and no playoff victories. San Francisco immediately hired Kelly to replace Jim Tomsula, but Kelly’s tenure lasted just one season before being replaced by Kyle Shanahan.

After leaving San Francisco Kelly interviewed for the Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator position but received little interest beyond that. His tenure at ESPN began just 26 weeks ago as a college football and NFL analyst.

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Kelly enters the UCLA program with the ability to mold the coaching staff and depth chart to his liking. With quarterback Josh Rosen expected to declare for the NFL Draft Kelly could potentially turn towards five-star recruit Dorian Thompson-Robinson. A consensus top-50 player in the countryThompson-Robinson is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in high school football.

Having recruited on the west coast for Oregon Kelly likely has a strong grip on the high school landscape, giving him an edge in recruiting.

Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Offense dominates early

With Kelly now out of the picture, Florida is likely to pursue UCF head coach Scott Frost, whose Knights are undefeated this season.

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