Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Chip Kelly

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Chip Kelly made an impact.

Charles Edward "Chip" Kelly is an American football coach currently serving as the offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders. He gained prominence as the head coach of the Oregon Ducks from 2009-2012, leading them to the 2011 BCS National Championship Game. His success at Oregon led to an NFL coaching career, including head coaching positions with the Philadelphia Eagles (2013-2015) and the San Francisco 49ers (2016). He then returned to college football as the head coach of UCLA from 2018-2024 before joining Ohio State as their offensive coordinator.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1990: Columbia University Lions Coach

In 1990, Chip Kelly began his coaching career with the Columbia University Lions, serving as secondary and special teams coach for the freshman team.

1992: Running Backs Coach at University of New Hampshire

In 1992, Chip Kelly became the running backs coach at the University of New Hampshire.

1994: Returns to New Hampshire as Running Backs Coach

In 1994, Chip Kelly returned to the University of New Hampshire as the running backs coach, where he stayed for three seasons.

1995: Azumah's Zone Blocking Scheme

In 1995, Chip Kelly devised a zone-blocking scheme for star Jerry Azumah, which raised the profile of UNH football.

1997: Offensive Line Coach at New Hampshire

In 1997, Chip Kelly transitioned to offensive line coach at the University of New Hampshire.

1998: Offensive Line Coach at New Hampshire

In 1998, Chip Kelly continued as the offensive line coach at the University of New Hampshire.

1999: Offensive Coordinator at New Hampshire

In 1999, Chip Kelly was promoted to offensive coordinator at the University of New Hampshire.

2004: New Hampshire Offense Breaks Records

In 2004, Chip Kelly's offense at the University of New Hampshire broke 29 school records.

2005: Wildcats' Offensive Output

In 2005, the Wildcats finished second nationally in total offense, third in scoring, and fifth in passing, with an 11-2 record.

2006: Tom Coughlin Offer

In 2006, Tom Coughlin tried to hire Chip Kelly as a quality control coach for the New York Giants, but Kelly turned down the offer.

February 2007: Hired as Oregon Offensive Coordinator

In February 2007, Chip Kelly was hired as the offensive coordinator at the University of Oregon.

2007: Patriots Implement Hurry Up Offense

In 2007, the New England Patriots implemented the hurry up offense, prior to Chip Kelly's meeting with Bill Belichick in 2012.

2008: Ducks Lead Pac-10 in Scoring and Offense

In 2008, the Oregon Ducks, under Chip Kelly, again led the Pac-10 in scoring and total offense, breaking school records.

March 31, 2009: Promoted to Head Coach at Oregon

On March 31, 2009, Chip Kelly was promoted to head coach of the Oregon Ducks.

2009: Oregon Ducks Head Coach

In 2009, Chip Kelly became the head coach of the Oregon Ducks.

2009: Discussions with Jon Gruden

In the spring of 2009, Chip Kelly and Jon Gruden discussed offensive strategies in Tampa, Florida.

November 2010: Visit to Pete Carroll

In November 2010, Chip Kelly visited Pete Carroll at the Seattle Seahawks practice facility.

December 4, 2010: Ducks Win Pac-10 Title

On December 4, 2010, Chip Kelly led the Oregon Ducks to a 9-0 conference record and their second consecutive Pac-10 title.

2010: Rose Bowl Appearance

In 2010, Chip Kelly coached the Oregon Ducks to the Rose Bowl.

January 10, 2011: BCS National Championship Game Loss

On January 10, 2011, Chip Kelly's Oregon Ducks lost to the Auburn Tigers in the BCS National Championship Game, 22-19.

2011: 2011 Season

In 2011, Chip Kelly coached The Oregon Ducks losing to LSU, winning nine games, losing to USC and defeating UCLA in the Pac-12 Football Championship. They defeated #10 Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.

2011: BCS National Championship Game Appearance

In 2011, Chip Kelly coached the Oregon Ducks to the BCS National Championship Game.

January 2012: Declined Tampa Bay Buccaneers Job

In January 2012, Chip Kelly declined the head coach position with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

2012: 2012 Oregon Ducks Season

In 2012, Chip Kelly coached The Oregon Ducks to ten straight victories, losing to #14 Stanford in overtime and beating #16 Oregon State in the Civil War.

2012: Rose Bowl Appearance

In 2012, Chip Kelly coached the Oregon Ducks to the Rose Bowl.

2012: Meeting with Bill Belichick

In 2012, Chip Kelly met with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick to discuss the "blur" offense.

2012: Coached at Oregon Ducks

In 2012, Chip Kelly was coaching at Oregon Ducks.

January 2013: NFL Interviews

In January 2013, Chip Kelly was interviewed by the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, and Philadelphia Eagles.

January 16, 2013: Hired as Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach

On January 16, 2013, Chip Kelly agreed to terms with the Philadelphia Eagles to become the team's head coach.

2013: Philadelphia Eagles Coach

In 2013, Chip Kelly began coaching in the NFL, starting with the Philadelphia Eagles.

2013: Fiesta Bowl Win

In 2013, Chip Kelly coached Oregon to a victory over Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl.

2014: Second Season in Philadelphia

In 2014, Chip Kelly finished his second season in Philadelphia with a 10-6 record but failed to make the playoffs.

January 2, 2015: Kelly Assumes Control of Eagles Roster

On January 2, 2015, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie announced that Chip Kelly would assume control of the 90-man roster, including authority over the draft and free agency. Roseman was "elevated" to Executive Vice President of Football Operations, retaining control of the salary cap and contracts.

March 10, 2015: Eagles Trade Quarterbacks and Running Backs

On March 10, 2015, the Eagles, under Kelly's direction, traded LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills for Kiko Alonso and Nick Foles to the St. Louis Rams for Sam Bradford. They also signed DeMarco Murray.

December 29, 2015: Kelly Fired by the Eagles

On December 29, 2015, Chip Kelly was fired by the Eagles before the final regular season game, as announced by owner Jeffrey Lurie.

2015: End of Philadelphia Eagles Tenure

Chip Kelly's tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles concluded in 2015.

January 14, 2016: Kelly Hired as 49ers Head Coach

On January 14, 2016, Chip Kelly was hired as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

2016: San Francisco 49ers Coach

In 2016, Chip Kelly coached the San Francisco 49ers.

January 1, 2017: Kelly Fired by the 49ers

On January 1, 2017, following a 2–14 season record, Chip Kelly was fired by the 49ers.

May 26, 2017: Kelly Hired by ESPN as Studio Analyst

On May 26, 2017, Chip Kelly was hired by ESPN as a studio analyst for college football.

November 25, 2017: Kelly Hired as UCLA Head Football Coach

On November 25, 2017, Chip Kelly was hired as the head football coach at UCLA.

2018: UCLA Bruins Head Coach

In 2018, Chip Kelly returned to college football as the head coach for the UCLA Bruins.

February 9, 2024: Kelly Leaves UCLA for Ohio State

On February 9, 2024, Chip Kelly left UCLA after six seasons to become the offensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

2024: Ohio State Offensive Coordinator

In 2024, Chip Kelly left UCLA to become the offensive coordinator for Ohio State.

February 4, 2025: Raiders Hire Kelly as Offensive Coordinator

On February 4, 2025, the Las Vegas Raiders hired Chip Kelly as their offensive coordinator under new head coach Pete Carroll.

November 23, 2025: Kelly Fired by the Raiders

On November 23, 2025, following a 2–9 start to the season, Chip Kelly was fired.

2025: Las Vegas Raiders Offensive Coordinator

In 2025, Chip Kelly was hired as the offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders but was fired before the season ended.

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