Chip Kelly is making his way back to the collegiate ranks, and this time he’s bringing his offensive expertise to Evanston. The veteran coach has officially been appointed as Northwestern University’s new offensive coordinator, marking his return to the Big Ten Conference just months after a turbulent stint in the NFL.
The announcement came Tuesday morning, ending weeks of speculation about Kelly’s next move following his abrupt departure from the Las Vegas Raiders. Northwestern head coach David Braun expressed immense enthusiasm about landing one of football’s most innovative offensive minds, framing the hire as a transformational moment for the Wildcats program.
A Rapid Fall from the NFL Ranks
Kelly’s tenure with the Raiders proved remarkably brief. Hired as offensive coordinator after helping Ohio State capture the national championship, he lasted just 12 games in Las Vegas before being dismissed. The Raiders’ offense struggled mightily under his direction, and the team’s performance didn’t improve after his exit—Las Vegas currently sits at 2-14 and is positioned to secure the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Raiders’ decision to part ways with Kelly came after the offense failed to find any consistent rhythm. Despite his reputation as a revolutionary play-caller, the professional game once again proved challenging for the coach who had previously flamed out as head coach of both the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.
Championship Pedigree from Columbus
Before his NFL misadventure, Kelly orchestrated one of college football’s most potent attacks at Ohio State. During the 2024 season, the Buckeyes averaged an impressive 6.9 yards per play while putting up nearly 36 points per game. The offense was particularly dominant in the College Football Playoff, scoring 34 or more points in three of four postseason contests.
Ohio State’s lowest offensive output in the playoffs came in a 28-14 victory over Texas—a game that still showcased Kelly’s ability to craft game plans that exploit defensive weaknesses. His work with quarterback play and tempo manipulation helped the Buckeyes navigate through the nation’s elite competition en route to their championship.
Kelly’s arrival in Columbus for the 2024 season represented his first assistant coaching role since 2008, when he served as Oregon’s offensive coordinator before being promoted to head coach. The decision to join Ryan Day’s staff came after six seasons leading UCLA’s program, where he rebuilt the Bruins into a competitive Pac-12 outfit.
A Program-Defining Acquisition for Northwestern
For Northwestern, securing Kelly’s services represents a statement of intent. Coach Braun didn’t mince words in his official statement, calling the hire “program-defining” and emphasizing the university’s commitment to championship aspirations.
“His innovative approach to offense using systems that focus on varying tempo, efficiency and smart decision-making, his track record of developing quarterbacks, and his ability to maximize talent are exactly what our program needs at this moment,” Braun said. “I am extremely grateful for the ongoing partnership of our university, Mark Jackson and passionate supporters to make this addition happen. Make no mistake: this is a program-defining change and is reflective of our long-term commitment to the pursuit of championships.”
The Wildcats have struggled to generate offensive firepower in recent seasons, making Kelly’s hire particularly significant. Northwestern finished the 2024 campaign with a 7-6 record, capped by a 34-7 victory over Central Michigan in the GameAbove Sports Bowl on December 6. However, that bowl performance was an outlier rather than the norm.
Statistical Struggles in Evanston
The numbers paint a clear picture of Northwestern’s offensive deficiencies. The Wildcats ranked 98th nationally in scoring offense, averaging just 23.4 points per game. Their yards per play average of 5.4 failed to threaten defenses consistently, and the passing game lacked explosiveness.
Quarterback Preston Stone managed only 2,400 passing yards across 13 games while completing 60% of his attempts—solid but unspectacular numbers that reflect the system’s limitations rather than the player’s potential. The team scored more than 22 points against FBS opponents on just three occasions throughout the entire season, highlighting the urgent need for schematic innovation.
What Kelly Brings to the Wildcats
Kelly’s offensive philosophy has evolved throughout his career but maintains core principles that have proven effective at multiple stops. His emphasis on tempo variation keeps defenses off-balance, while his quarterback development track record suggests Stone could make significant strides in 2025.
The coach’s ability to maximize talent—particularly with skill position players—could unlock production from a roster that has underperformed relative to its recruiting rankings. Northwestern’s offensive line has been solid, but the skill players need a system that creates space and exploits mismatches, something Kelly has done throughout his career.
His experience in the Big Ten from his Ohio State tenure gives him familiarity with the conference’s defensive tendencies and recruiting landscape. This knowledge should accelerate his integration into Northwestern’s program and help him identify targets in the transfer portal who fit his system.
A Career Full of Twists
Kelly’s journey through the coaching ranks has been anything but conventional. After revolutionizing college football at Oregon with his blur offense, he jumped to the NFL with the Eagles in 2013. His first two seasons in Philadelphia showed promise, but a power struggle and roster overhaul led to his dismissal after the 2015 season.
A single season with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016 ended poorly, sending Kelly back to college football. He rebuilt his reputation at UCLA, transforming the Bruins into a consistent winner before making the unusual move to become an assistant at Ohio State.
Now, after another NFL setback, Kelly returns to the conference where he first made his name as an offensive innovator. The Big Ten’s evolving style—incorporating more spread concepts and tempo variations—plays directly into his strengths.
Looking Ahead to 2025
The Wildcats will enter the 2025 season with renewed optimism. Kelly’s offensive installation will be the primary storyline throughout spring practice and fall camp. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see how quickly he can transform a unit that ranked among the nation’s worst into a competitive force.
For Kelly, this represents another opportunity to prove his offensive system can thrive in modern college football. At 61 years old, he’s running out of chances to cement his legacy as one of the game’s great offensive minds rather than a coach who couldn’t replicate his college success at the professional level.
The partnership between Kelly and Braun could define both men’s careers at Northwestern. If the offense makes a dramatic leap, the Wildcats could contend in the expanded Big Ten. If struggles persist, questions about Kelly’s adaptability will only grow louder.
One thing is certain: Northwestern has made a bold bet on a coach with a brilliant offensive mind but a recent track record of short tenures. The college football world will be watching Evanston with great interest when the season kicks off this fall.