Oregon has asked for permission from UCLA to speak with coach Chip Kelly about the Ducks’ coaching vacancy, according to The Oregonian’s John Canzano. In doing so, it appears Oregon is serious about making a splash hire of its own to counter USC’s recent move of swiping Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma.
Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens made it clear that he would conduct a nationwide search after Mario Cristobal left to take the same job at Miami, but as Canzano notes, targeting Kelly signals that a more familiar name from the candidate pool may be of interest.
Kelly, of course, was the head coach of the Ducks from 2009-12 and served as Mike Bellotti’s offensive coordinator in 2007 and 2008.
This just in — the Oregon Ducks have asked for permission to speak with UCLA coach Chip Kelly about their fooball coaching vacancy, per University of Oregon source.
— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) December 9, 2021
JUST IN: Oregon has asked for permission to speak with UCLA coach Chip Kelly about their coaching vacancy, per @johncanzanobft.
🔗https://t.co/NyMIMTRF2O pic.twitter.com/5bTAxLoXZf
— 247Sports (@247Sports) December 9, 2021