A new era begins inside the Casanova Center and the Oregon football program today.
Chip Kelly, the longtime offensive coordinator at the University of New Hampshire, with ties to former Oregon assistant Gary Crowton, takes over officially today as the Ducks’ new offensive coordinator, Oregon coach Mike Bellotti announced Friday.
“I think he’s a perfect fit for what we’re doing presently and in the future in terms of the spread-option attack,” Bellotti said. “In looking at what they do, they’re further outside the box than we are. We’ve become a unique preparation in this conference and I want to be a unique preparation in the nation. He did that at New Hampshire.”
Kelly comes to Eugene after spending 14 years at Div. I-AA New Hampshire, his alma mater. Kelly has spent the last eight years as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, leading the Wildcats’ prolific spread offenses that have averaged more than 400 yards of total offense in all but one of those years and more than 30 points per game in the last four seasons.
Using an entirely no-huddle offense under Kelly, the Wildcats ranked in the top three in all of Div. I-AA in touchdowns (74), yards per game (493) and points per game (41.7) in 2005 after breaking 29 school records in 2004. Kelly’s also coached three players who have gone on to NFL careers.
Kelly inherits an Oregon offense that posted solid numbers last season, leading the Pac-10 in total offense, but sputtered by losing its final four games including a 38-8 loss to BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl.
The inconsistent play of Oregon’s top two quarterbacks, Dennis Dixon and Brady Leaf, and turnovers will be two areas of concern for Kelly. Oregon committed 32 turnovers last season, including 18 interceptions from the quarterback, while New Hampshire committed just 14 total turnovers.
“I expect us to improve in that area and he knows that’s the number one challenge,” Bellotti said.
Regardless of results last season, Kelly recognizes the wealth of talent the Ducks return next season, including both running backs, most of an experienced offensive line and the leading wide receiver.
“Just watching tape…they’re some talented kids,” Kelly said. “It’s an exciting situation.”
He later added about the quarterback situation: “I don’t have any preconceived notions.”
At New Hampshire, Kelly developed quarterback Ricky Santos into one of nation’s best. Last season, Santos earned the Walter Payton Award, given to the best offensive player in Div. I-AA, after ranking fourth in the country with 3,125 yards and tossing 29 touchdowns.
In just three seasons, Santos has 10,240 yards and 99 touchdowns for his career.
“The proven track record of success of the quarterback obviously points to strong coaching and a very good foundation from Chip,” Bellotti said.
Kelly, 43, was named the College Assistant Coach of the Year by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston following the 2005 season and chosen as “one of college football’s hottest coaches” by American Football Monthly. He’s been rumored for multiple jobs in the past, including as an assistant for the New York Giants and as head coach at Lehigh last season, the seacoastonline.com reported.
Kelly’s connection with Oregon comes primarily through Crowton, Oregon’s former offensive coordinator, who took a similar position at Louisiana State last month. Kelly visited Oregon to study the Ducks’ spread offense last March and last season he and Crowton, a one-time assistant at New Hampshire with Kelly, talked strategy each week and even exchanged a few plays and film.
When Crowton informed Bellotti of his interest in the LSU job, Kelly immediately became a serious candidate on Bellotti’s short list of candidates.
“He made me feel wanted,” said Kelly, who also met with assistant coaches and all five quarterbacks. “The way I look at it, he offered me a full scholarship and I accepted.”
Kelly’s contract, worth $200,000 annually, is effective today.
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