There is much discourse around college football about players leaving teams and their loyalty to programs. A lot of this comes from the coaches who recruited the players, but the same standard isn’t held for when a coach leaves a program. Coaches often face scrutiny when they jump ship, yet players are sometimes criticized for seeking new opportunities. Why is that?
Getting fired is one thing, but leaving under your terms is another. It can be rationalized if you are a coach who takes a small school to consistent winning records and earns a shot at a bigger program to try and replicate the same success. Other times, coaches leave under the cover of night to accept new positions unexpectedly, like Lincoln Riley, while the enticing world of the NFL lures others away.
Chip Kelly’s Departure from Oregon
In 2013, the Oregon Ducks were riding high. They had three consecutive 12-win seasons and were coming off a Fiesta Bowl win over the Kansas State Wildcats. The momentum was palpable, and fans were excited about the future. However, the winds of change were on the horizon.
Head coach Chip Kelly had gained a lot of NFL interest, being interviewed by the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, and Philadelphia Eagles. Initially, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that Kelly had decided to remain with the Ducks, but then, just a week later, he jumped to the NFL and accepted the Eagles head coaching job. What could have prompted such a sudden shift?
NCAA Sanctions: A Dark Cloud
There were likely several reasons why Kelly left the Ducks, but the biggest was likely the looming NCAA sanctions. The Oregonian reported that the university had offered to put itself on probation for two years due to NCAA violations that took place under Kelly. After the NCAA concluded its investigation into Oregon’s use of football scouting services, it declared that the Ducks would be on three-year probation and reduced in scholarships but not banned from bowl games.
Kelly himself received an 18-month show-cause penalty, which would have kicked in if he were to be hired by another NCAA school. Luckily for him, this didn’t end up mattering because he spent the next four seasons in the NFL, leaving the chaos of college football behind.
Losing Important Games: A Frustrating Trend
Another factor that may have influenced Kelly’s decision was the frustration of losing in crucial games. Despite a solid record, he couldn’t seem to capture the championship glory that Ducks fans craved. In his first season, he led the team to a 10-3 record but lost in the Rose Bowl. The following year, the Ducks finished 12-1, but their only loss was a heartbreaker against Auburn in the national championship game.
The next two seasons were similarly disappointing, as Oregon finished with impressive records but fell short of the ultimate prize. In 2011, they finished 12-2 and won the Rose Bowl, and in 2012, they were 12-1 with a Fiesta Bowl victory. Yet, despite these accolades, it was a clear case of close but no cigar.
When Kelly was at Oregon, the NCAA was still using its BCS playoff system, which meant a team had to be ranked in the top two after conference championship week to qualify for the national title game. Notably, Kelly left Oregon ahead of the 2013 season, and the College Football Playoff was implemented in 2014. Would things have been different if he had stayed just a little longer?
Chip Kelly’s Oregon Coaching Record
Kelly left Oregon with a remarkable 46-7 record over four seasons and a 2-2 record in bowl games. The Ducks celebrated victories in the Rose Bowl in 2011 and the Fiesta Bowl in 2012. His tenure was marked by explosive offensive plays and a fast-paced style that captivated fans and players alike.
Here’s a look at his record during those pivotal seasons:
| Year | Record | Result |
| 2009 | 10-3 | Lost Rose Bowl |
| 2010 | 12-1 | Lost National Championship Game |
| 2011 | 12-2 | Won Rose Bowl |
| 2012 | 12-1 | Won Fiesta Bowl |
Oregon rose to No. 2 in 2012 but finished the season ranked No. 6 after not making the Pac-12 Championship Game. After the Ducks beat Kansas State 35-17, they shot up to No. 2 in the season’s final rankings. However, these rankings don’t mean much heading into the offseason.
The question remains: did Chip Kelly’s departure signify a shift in college football dynamics? As coaches and players navigate their careers, the conversations about loyalty, opportunity, and ambition will continue to evolve. The world of college football is ever-changing, and with each coaching change, new stories unfold, captivating fans and players alike.
