Chip Kelly Biographical information

Dec. 2, 2008

University of Oregon offensive coordinator Chip Kelly will succeed Mike Bellotti as the Ducks’ head football coach.

Kelly, born Nov. 25, 1963, has masterminded the Ducks’ offensive attack for the past two seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach following eight years as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at New Hampshire.

Since his arrival in Eugene, Kelly has succeeded in transforming Oregon’s spread offense into one of the most prolific offensive units in college football. The Ducks currently rank fourth in the country in rushing offense (277.8-yard avg.), seventh in scoring offense (41.9-point avg.) and eighth in total offense (478.2-yard avg.).

In his first season coordinating Oregon’s offense in 2007, the Ducks ascended as high as fifth nationally in scoring offense (42.8 avg.), total offense (510.6 avg.), rushing offenses (271.4 avg.) and passing efficiency after nine games with a healthy Dennis Dixon at quarterback prior to the Heisman Trophy candidate being sidelined for the season with a knee injury. Oregon finished last season sixth nationally in rushing (251.7 avg.), 10th in total offense (467.5 avg.), 12th in scoring (38.2 avg.) and 42nd in passing efficiency.

Prior to assuming the role as offensive coordinator at New Hampshire in 1999, Kelly spent two years as the Wildcats’ offensive line coach (1997-98) and three seasons coaching the school’s running backs (1994-96). The Manchester, N.H., native returned to his alma mater following a one-year stint as defensive coordinator at Johns Hopkins University (1993).

The 1990 New Hampshire physical education graduate broke into the coaching ranks that fall at Columbia University, where he served as freshman secondary and special teams coach. He assumed responsibility for the Lions’ varsity outside linebackers and strong safeties in 1991 before returning to New Hampshire as running backs coach the following year.

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