Chip Kelly’s Oregon exit ‘inevitable,’ says Mike Bellotti

Despite all of his success, maybe Oregon head coach Chip Kelly isn’t long for his job.

Not because he’ll be fired of course, but because maybe the pro game is calling to him. According to CBSSports.com, Mike Bellotti, the man Kelly replaced at Oregon, says Kelly will be leaving for the pro game sooner rather than later.

“It’s just inevitable that he will eventually be in the NFL,” Bellotti said. “Chip is one of the ultimate competitors and he sees that. It actually surprised me he changed his mind [with the Bucs] last year

“Whether they get to the national championship and whether they win the national championship, I don’t know. To think he’ll stay there when ultimately his idea of top jobs is to get to the Super Bowl, it won’t happen, unfortunately, at the college level.”

Kelly almost took the vacancy with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year after Raheem Morris was fired, only to decide against it at the 11th hour. Greg Schiano, the ex-Rutger Scarlet Knights coach ended up with the position.

Earlier this month, a Sporting News poll was taken, asking NFL players which college coach should go to the pros. Kelly finished in a tie for third behind Nick Saban and Urban Meyer.

When Kelly was informed of Bellotti’s statement, Kelly certainly didn’t deny the notion.

“I have no reaction. What we do here is all I’m focused on … We’re not talking about where we’re going. We have a one-week mission. Our mission this week is Cal. You need to narrow down your focus more nine games in.”

As Oregon inches closer to a shot at the National Championship, it’s likely the rumors will only intensify with each win.