Skip to main content
Chip Kelly (photo courtesy Getty Images)
Chip Kelly (photo courtesy Getty Images)
Photo by: Getty Images

UCLA Names Chip Kelly New Head Football Coach

November 25, 2017 | Football

LOS ANGELES – UCLA Director of Athletics Dan Guerrero has named former NFL and college head coach Chip Kelly as the Bruins' 17th head football coach. Kelly agreed to a five-year contract worth $23.3M with a $9M reciprocal buyout.

"I am thrilled to welcome Chip Kelly to Westwood," said Guerrero. "His success speaks for itself, but more than that, I firmly believe that his passion for the game and his innovative approach to coaching student-athletes make him the perfect fit for our program. 'Champions Made Here' is more than just a mantra at UCLA, and I'm confident that Chip will lead UCLA Football back to competing for championships. I'd like to thank Josh Rebholz, Casey Wasserman and Troy Aikman for their input during this process, as their candor, experience and support were invaluable."

Kelly will be formally introduced to the UCLA community and to media on campus Monday afternoon.

"It is an absolute honor to join the Bruin Family, and I am grateful to Chancellor Block and to Dan Guerrero for this incredible opportunity," said Kelly. "UCLA is a world-class institution with a distinguished history in athletics, and we will do our part to uphold its tradition of excellence."

Kelly brings to Westwood 27 seasons of coaching experience at both the professional and collegiate levels, most recently serving as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers (2016) and Philadelphia Eagles (2013-15). The Eagles won 10 games in each of Kelly's first two seasons, and an NFC East Division Championship in his first season in 2013, when he was also named the Maxwell Club NFL Coach of the Year.

He began his head coaching career at the University of Oregon in 2009, leading the Ducks to a 10-3 record and a trip to the Rose Bowl in his first year at the helm. Kelly finished his time at Oregon with a 46-7 record as head coach (2009-12), including victories in the Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl. In his four seasons in Eugene, Kelly became the first coach in school history to guide the program to three consecutive undisputed conference championships (2009-11) and its first three 12-win seasons (2010-12). Oregon made an appearance in a BCS Bowl game in each of Kelly's four seasons, including a trip to the National Championship game following the 2010 season. Kelly was named the Pac-10 Coach of the Year in back-to-back seasons in 2009 and 2010, and Associated Press Coach of the Year in 2010.

"I am pleased to welcome Chip Kelly to UCLA, confident that he will work tirelessly to focus on the whole student, both as an athlete and as a scholar," said UCLA Chancellor Gene Block. "In my discussion with Coach Kelly, I sensed a sincere commitment to help our student-athletes become the best that they can be. I look forward to his presence in Westwood."

Kelly began his coaching career at Columbia University, also spending time at Johns Hopkins University and 13 years at his alma mater, the University of New Hampshire, before being named offensive coordinator at the University of Oregon in 2007.

Coaching Experience
2016 - Head Coach, San Francisco 49ers
2013-15 - Head Coach, Philadelphia Eagles
2009-12 - Head Coach, University of Oregon
2007-08 - Offensive Coordinator, University of Oregon
1999-2006 - Offensive Coordinator, University of New Hampshire
1997-98 - Offensive Line, University of New Hampshire
1994-96 - Running Backs, University of New Hampshire
1993 - Defensive Coordinator, Johns Hopkins University
1992 - Running Backs, University of New Hampshire
1991 - Outside Linebackers/Safeties, Columbia University
1990 - Defensive Backs/Special Teams, Columbia University
1981-84 - Quarterback/Safety, University of New Hampshire