Chip Kelly hopes to coach in NFL long enough to end college speculation
By Ryan Wilson | CBSSports.com
After winning 10 games in each of his first two seasons, coach Chip Kelly and the Eagles have stumbled to a 2-3 start. The offense has been particularly inept, and given that Kelly took over personnel duties in January, he's the target for any and all criticism related to the team's struggles.
Naturally, the Eagles' record, Kelly's success at Oregon before coming to the NFL, and the current opening at USC, have led to speculation that he may be returning to the college game sooner rather than later. On Thursday, Kelly addressed the matter.
"I understand that," Kelly said of the rumors, via ESPN.com. "It's going to happen. ... We're not successful. We're not winning. I came from college. I'm going to go back to college."
But Kelly, who said he hasn't heard from USC, has no plans to leave.
"I hope someday to be like Coach [Tom] Coughlin and win enough games where I stay around long enough where that speculation ends," Kelly said. "But I understand you have to ask the question. I answered it the same way a year ago. I answered it the same way my first year here."
Kelly added that his agent hasn't sought out attention from colleges.
"It's an unfortunate part of the game," he continued. "The other part of it is there are people who have lost their jobs. A friend of mine is Steve Sarkisian, who is dealing with a big issue right now. I wish him the best. That's how I look at that situation."
As for the much-dreaded distractions, Kelly says there aren't any.
"My players could care less about that," he said. "Ask them, I guess. I don't think [center] Jason Kelce is really concerned because my name came up with a college. He's concerned with going against Steve Spagnuolo's defense, which is what's first and foremost on our team right now."
10-15-2015, 01:40 PM
Chip Kelly In lead for usc job
Threaded Mode