Chip Kelly surprised the collegiate football world when he chose to retire as UCLA’s coach and accept a position as offensive coordinator at Ohio State. It’s not often that a strong league head coach decides to step down to take on what many consider to be a lesser role as an offensive coordinator.

Kelly is pretty satisfied with his selection. Kelly stated that he had an epiphany after Ryan Gunderson, UCLA’s quarterbacks coach, resigned to accept a position as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Oregon State.

With Gunderson’s resignation, Kelly was obliged to take over as quarterbacks coach as the Bruins prepared for their December LA Bowl game against Boise State. Kelly decided he wanted to be a position coach again.

“I think my wife remarked, ‘I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time,'” Kelly told reporters at his debut press conference on Tuesday. “For me, the finest aspect of football is the football. So you’ve got to focus on football rather than the other aspects of the head coaching position.”

Kelly stated that he began considering his future and planned to stand aside as head coach if a suitable opportunity arose.

Kelly, who was the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles from 2013 to 2015 and the San Francisco 49ers in 2016, sought a return to the NFL. He allegedly interviewed for offensive coordinator positions with the Seattle Seahawks, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Washington Commanders.

He did not land an NFL position, but a longtime buddy, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, presented him with a chance. Bill O’Brien departed Ohio State after three weeks to become head coach at Boston College, leaving an opening for the post of offensive coordinator.

Day acted fast to employ Kelly.

These two have a long history together. Kelly was Day’s head coach while he was the quarterback at New Hampshire. Day worked with Kelly in both Philadelphia and San Francisco.

“I’ve known him since he was a little kid,” Kelly told reporters. “So I think a lot of things just fell into place.”

Kelly, 60, has a 35-34 record during six seasons at UCLA. He would have been on the hot seat heading into the 2024 season after barely making it through the 2023 season, when many expected him to be sacked.

Kelly, understanding what was likely to happen if he stayed in Westwood, began seeking for an escape ramp.

“I simply wanted to feel joyful. Kelly told reporters, “And I’m really happy coaching a position.” “Really happy to be at this place.”