Reunion In Eugene? Oregon Requesting To Interview UCLA HC Chip Kelly

A new report suggests that a reunion between Oregon and Chip Kelly may not seem so far-fetched.

According to The Oregonian's John Canzano, Oregon has asked for permission to interview the UCLA head coach to fill its head coaching vacancy. The Oregon job is open for the first time in four years after Mario Cristobal took the Miami job on Monday. The Ducks have also reportedly requested to interview BYU head coach Kalani Sitaki, per the Deseret News’ Dick Harmon.

Kelly, 58, was Oregon's head coach from 2009-12, going 46-7. The Ducks won the Pac-12 conference championship in his first three seasons and made an appearance in the 2011 BCS National Championship Game, a 22-19 loss to Auburn.

Heading into the 2013 offseason, Kelly received interest from multiple NFL teams. Kelly was named Eagles head coach on Jan. 16, 2013, bringing his four-year tenure in Eugene to an end. Kelly's run with Philadelphia ended after three seasons and a 26-21 record.

He was subsequently hired by the 49ers to be their head coach but it didn't last long. Kelly went 2-14 in 2016 and was fired. After taking a year off from coaching, Kelly was back in college football--this time with UCLA.

The Bruins have steadily improved every season under Kelly and had their first winning season in 2021. UCLA (8-4) accepted a bid to face No. 18 NC State (9-3) in the Holiday Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 28 at Petco Park in San Diego.

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