If Chip Kelly is fired at UCLA, Bruins and Trojans will both have coaching openings

If Chip Kelly gets fired, UCLA will have to think about how to battle USC and everyone else in the Big Ten with a new coach.

According to a report by 247Sports, the expectation around the UCLA program is that head coach Chip Kelly will be fired.

“I think I’ve done great,” Kelly said.

The statement came following a question about the coach’s near six-year tenure as the leader of UCLA’s football program. Despite the fact that the USC game is just days away, a majority of Kelly’s time with media this week is being spent answering questions about the past.

If Kelly is fired, USC and UCLA will both have major job openings — USC at defensive coordinator, UCLA at head coach and, by extension, every position on staff.

It’s worth exploring which candidates UCLA should consider. Let’s take an early look, reminding ourselves that if USC beats UCLA, Kelly’s firing is guaranteed. If UCLA pulls the upset, Kelly might have a slight chance of saving his job at the 11th hour.