The journey from being a college football coach to an NFL coach is a leap of faith that often doesn’t pan out. Names like Nick Saban, Matt Rhule, Kliff Kingsbury, and Urban Meyer can be listed among those who ventured into the NFL, only to face disappointment.
Chip Kelly is another name that belongs in this category, although he initially enjoyed some success in his NFL journey. Currently coaching UCLA, Kelly initially made his mark with the Oregon Ducks. His innovative offensive strategies were game-changing, and he guided the Ducks to two Rose Bowls and a shot at the national title.
Kelly had lots of success at Oregon which led to NFL interest
His success caught the attention of the NFL, leading him to the Philadelphia Eagles. His first two seasons showed promise with a 20-12 win-loss record and a playoff appearance. However, his third season was a downturn, as the team struggled with a 6-9 record leading to his dismissal after Week 16. Later, the San Francisco 49ers granted him another chance, but a dismal 2-14 season led to his firing after just a year.
Kelly had a dismal stint with the Niners that led to his demise
Kelly found his way back to college football where he seems more at ease. In 2022, he steered the UCLA Bruins to a 9-4 record, marking his most successful season with the team. While Kelly likely prefers not to dwell on his NFL days, former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy recently shared his insights into why Kelly didn’t make it in the NFL on the Pardon My Take podcast.
According to McCoy, Kelly’s downfall lay in his inability to form a meaningful connection with his professional players. McCoy hinted that Kelly’s stringent approach was unsuitable for the NFL environment, an issue that has been recurrent among college coaches transitioning to the professional league.
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