Fresh off his team’s impressive victory over Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl, Oregon Ducks’ head football coach Chip Kelly is reportedly the new head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. Owner Jeffrey Lurie says Kelly “will be an outstanding head coach for the Eagles. He has a brilliant football mind. He motivates his team with his actions as well as his words. He will be a great leader for us and will bring a fresh energetic approach to our team.”
It will be interesting to see in the coming days whether Oregon goes in-house or outside to find a new head coach, whether any of their recruits will decommit and head for other schools, and if any current Ducks decide to transfer. Ducks offensive co-ordinator Mark Helfrich is the rumored successor at Oregon, but this assumes that Kelly will not try and take his co-ordinator to the NFL with him.
Another aspect of this story to watch is the NCAA investigation on the Oregon football program to see if they are in violation of any NCAA rules and regulations. Has Chip Kelly abandoned ship before it sinks, much like Pete Carroll did with his switch from USC to Seattle.
It will also be interesting to see how Kelly’s high tempo speed based offence will work in the pro game, as well as to see what this decision means for the future of Michael Vick in Philadelphia. Kelly’s teams have always featured an option style of running attack and plenty of carries for the signal caller, so a mobile quarterback like Vick may be just what he wants. This despite Vick’s well publicized struggles in Philadelphia this season.
Main Photo Credit: Tennessee Journalist via photopin cc
