Las Vegas has made headlines with a significant coaching hire as Chip Kelly returns to the NFL after an eight-year hiatus. According to reports, Kelly has been appointed the new offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders, working alongside freshly installed head coach Pete Carroll.
This marks Kelly’s first position as a coordinator in the NFL, stepping back into the league after previously serving as a head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers. At 61 years old, he will reportedly earn $6 million per year, making him the highest-paid coordinator in the NFL.
Before his return to the NFL, Kelly enjoyed success at the college level, having served as the head coach at UCLA and the offensive coordinator at Ohio State. His most recent stint at Ohio State saw him help lead the Buckeyes to a national championship, their first since 2014.
Kelly’s NFL career began at Oregon, where he built a reputation for his innovative offensive strategies, achieving a remarkable 46-7 record before moving up to the NFL. During his time with the Eagles, Kelly’s teams were known for their high-scoring offenses, particularly in his first two seasons, where they ranked in the top five for points and yards per game.
However, his NFL journey has had its ups and downs; after being promoted to oversee personnel decisions at the Eagles, his team struggled in 2015, leading to his dismissal. Later, his tenure with the 49ers ended poorly as well, with the offense ranking among the lowest in the league.
Now back in Las Vegas, Kelly is expected to have considerable control over the Raiders’ offense as the team looks to improve. His experience and insight from previous head coaching roles, combined with recent success at the college level, should provide an intriguing dynamic for the Raiders as they head into the upcoming season.
