Chip Kelly is gearing up for a significant return to Southern California as Ohio State's offensive coordinator, facing Oregon in the Rose Bowl in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup. Kelly, who previously coached UCLA, is excited to reunite with the sun after his time in Columbus. During his tenure at UCLA, Kelly led the team to a 35-34 record, with his final three seasons showing promise with a 25-13 record. Despite a successful 8-5 season last year, UCLA seemed to hit a plateau under Kelly's leadership.
After realizing his passion for coaching quarterbacks, Kelly decided to step down as UCLA's head coach and join Ohio State as offensive coordinator. Under his guidance, Ohio State's offense has excelled, ranking 11th in scoring with an average of 36 points per game and 32nd in total offense with 427.3 yards per game.
Quarterback Will Howard, a fan of Kelly's coaching from his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, has thrived under Kelly's mentorship. The duo's synergy has been evident, with Howard boasting a 73.2% completion rate and 29 touchdowns this season.
Ohio State's head coach, Ryan Day, commended Kelly's adaptability and understanding of the team's personnel. Day highlighted the team's balanced performance in their recent victory over Tennessee, where Howard shone with 311 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Kelly's return to the Rose Bowl holds sentimental value as he previously coached Oregon to a 46-7 record. Despite being winless in six games against the Ducks, Kelly is prepared for the upcoming challenge, having thoroughly analyzed Oregon's gameplay.
As the game approaches, Kelly emphasizes the importance of individual matchups and trusts his players to execute the game plan effectively. With a talented offensive line and a dedicated team, Kelly is confident in Ohio State's ability to compete against Oregon in the Rose Bowl.
