One day after the 2015 NCAA football regular season ended, a number of coaches were without a job and a lot of rumors were swirling. Some coaches parted ways with their head coaches, such as Georgia, and others held onto theirs, such as LSU . There is a lot of talk going on though, and some of the rumors have Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly possibly ending up back in college and maybe with the USC Trojans.
It’s been a disappointing team for the Eagles as they now sit at 4-7 after being throttled by the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day. Luckily, the rest of the NFC East is playing poorly and they’re still in the divisional title and playoff hunt.
Still, if they can’t make it into the playoffs, Chip Kelly’s time with the Eagles may end. Bleeding Green Nation already notes that signs are beginning to pile up that Kelly won’t be back with Philly in 2016.
ESPN’s NFL guru Adam Schefter is a firm believer that it would not be surprising to see Kelly out after this season.
“I think the momentum and signs seem to be piling up against a Chip return to Philadelphia. I think both sides are sick of each other. I think the fans are tired of him. I think he’s tired of the situation there … just my read, from afar.”
“I just think that Chip Kelly, if given a choice, might be comfortable elsewhere. We’ll see how that shakes out. I certainly would include him in my questions marks of coaches that we’ll be tracking in January. I think we can say that. I don’t doubt what your friend is saying about Chip Kelly being a ‘goner’ or however you want to categorize it, whatever he said to you. I think that that bears watching.”
NFL is reporting that the USC Trojans are a possible landing spot for him, and that isn’t the only one. Apparently, the Tennessee Titans could be very interested in him for their coaching vacancy if he becomes available after the season or at any point before.
If Kelly isn’t looking for personnel control, then Tennessee could very well be where he lands if the Eagles decide to part ways with him.
If the Eagles don’t end up separating from Chip Kelly until after the NFL season is over, then that could really come back to bite USC if they decide to wait and see. It would put the Trojans in a hole and behind in things, but still an investment worth looking into.
Chip Kelly is no stranger to the college coaching game after having success with the Oregon Ducks for years. He was the offensive coordinator of the Ducks from 2007-2008, and then took over as head coach from 2009-2012 before heading to the Eagles.
In two and a half seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, Chip Kelly has amassed a record of 24-17. In his first season, the Eagles landed in the playoffs after winning the NFC East, but they lost in the Wild Card Playoff Round to the New Orleans Saints.
In 2014, the Eagles finished with another 10-6 record, but missed the playoffs. Now, the team is sitting at 4-7 and in danger of finishing 2015 with a losing record, and that doesn’t spell good news for their head coach.
Right now, the idea of Chip Kelly leaving the Philadelphia Eagles and heading to USC, the Tennessee Titans, or any other team is nothing but a rumor. It’s possible though and something being talked a lot lately so keep an eye on the relationship between Kelly and the Eagles.
[Image via Getty Images/Maddie Meyer]