Sunday night, news broke that Oregon Ducks coach Chip Kelly was steps away from taking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers job. What started as farfetched became more and more believable as confirmations came in from both coasts, with late-night reports having Kelly just about to sign. Then, at the last moment, he reportedly changed his mind.
Chip Kelly On Tampa Bay Buccaneers Job: ‘I Have Unfinished Business’
Days away from college football’s national signing day, when high school players can officially begin signing up to play for college teams, Kelly’s got some clarifying to do on just how committed he is to Oregon for the near future. Unless he can convince the public he’s no longer interested in a NFL job (despite multiple reports that he’s had it with all the non-football responsibilities entailed in working a college job), he’ll have one issue to overcome in future recruiting (not to mention this year’s recruiting).
Here’s Kelly:
I am flattered by the interest of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ organization. I enjoyed meeting with the Glazer family and General Manager Mark Dominik but after numerous discussions, I concluded that I have some unfinished business to complete at the University of Oregon.
Also, athletic director Rob Mullens issued a comment:
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers asked for permission to engage in conversation with Coach Kelly, which was granted. The University of Oregon is one of the nation’s preeminent college football programs and, as such, it comes as no surprise the NFL is interested in our personnel. We are pleased with Coach Kelly’s decision to remain as our head coach. Coach Kelly has provided great leadership and remains committed to building on our position among the elite college football programs in the country.
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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