Chip Kelly has agreed to terms with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will be announced as the team’s next head coach, according to a report from the Register-Guard’s Adam Jude. Citing an athletic department source, Jude is reporting the deal is done, though nothing has been announced by the Buccaneers.
Chip Kelly, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Reportedly Agree To Terms
Rumors of Kelly’s departure for Tampa Bay began to swirl on Sunday evening, spurred on by a report from KGW in Portland. From there, the rumors snowballed, with the Tampa Bay Times confirming that Kelly and the Bucs were close to finalizing a deal. As the night wore on, more reports continued to trickle in, each indicating Kelly was NFL-bound, barring a last-minute snag.
Jude also added players and assistants were not told of Kelly’s plans as all of this unfolded.
One member of the team told The Register-Guard the players have been left “in the dark” about Kelly’s intentions. Players were instructed Sunday night to attend the team’s scheduled conditioning workouts today, according to a source.
Kelly led the Ducks to an incredible amount of success during his tenure at the helm, including an appearance in the BCS Championship game and two Rose Bowl game appearances -- the second of which resulted in a victory over Wisconsin this January -- in his three years as head coach.
We’ll be back with more as it becomes available.
EDIT: Kelly has reportedly changed his mind and will stay at Oregon.
Check out SB Nation’s Bucs Nation for more on the Bucs and visit Addicted To Quack for an Oregon perspective on all of this.
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