Chip Kelly hired as UCLA's new head football coach
Chip Kelly is headed back into college coaching after a short stint with ESPN. He reached an agreement with UCLA to take the helm as the Bruins new head coach.
The UCLA Bruins should start their conditioning program right away.
According to media reports, former Eagles' coach Chip Kelly — a highly regarded college coach known for his fast-paced offensive system and unconventional approach to conditioning and team building — reached an agreement to become UCLA's new football coach.
"I am thrilled to welcome Chip Kelly to Westwood," said UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero via statement. "His success speaks for itself, but more than that, I firmly believe that his passion for the game and his innovative approach to coaching student-athletes make him the perfect fit for our program. 'Champions Made Here' is more than just a mantra at UCLA, and I'm confident that Chip will lead UCLA Football back to competing for championships. I'd like to thank Josh Rebholz, Casey Wasserman and Troy Aikman for their input during this process, as their candor, experience and support were invaluable."
Kelly, who was working at ESPN, didn't coach in 2017 after being fired by San Francisco in 2016 when the 49ers only managed a 2-14 record.
"It is an absolute honor to join the Bruin Family, and I am grateful to Chancellor (Gene) Block and to Dan Guerrero for this incredible opportunity," Kelly said in a statement. "UCLA is a world-class institution with a distinguished history in athletics, and we will do our part to uphold its tradition of excellence."
Kelly's most successful coaching tenure was with Oregon, where he was the head coach from 2009-12, and amassed a 44-5 record and won two January bowl games.
"Chip was a great addition to ESPN's college football team this year," said Lee Fitting, ESPN Vice President of Production. "The experiences and characteristics he brought to our coverage are the qualities which made him a sought after coach. We respect and support his decision to take the UCLA head coaching job. We wish him the best of luck."
With the Eagles, Kelly went 26-21 with the Eagles, including a playoff berth in his first season. But the front office soured on him when giving him personnel control went badly.
Kelly replaces Jim Mora Jr., who was fired on Sunday.
Rob Tornoe contributed to this report.