It was a busy day on Friday in Columbus, Ohio, as the Ohio State Buckeyes saw the departure of offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien and hired former UCLA head Chip Kelly to be their next offensive coordinator.
O’Brien left the Buckeyes after less than two months on the job for the head coach opening at Boston College. It will be his second career head coaching job at the college level, also leading Penn State in 2011 and 2012 before spending parts of seven seasons with the NFL’s Houston Texans as head coach.
On the other hand, Kelly heads to Columbus after stepping down as UCLA’s head coach earlier on Friday. Kelly has spent the last several weeks interviewing multiple NFL offensive coordinator opportunities as he was set to enter the 2024 season on the hot seat with the Bruins.
Kelly spent six seasons in Westwood and led the program to three straight seasons of eight or more wins, including a nine-win season in 2022. Overall, Kelly was 35-34 as the Bruins’ head coach and leaves UCLA with a career record of 81-41, which includes a 46-7 record at Oregon from 2009 through 2012.
The Huskers will get a close look at Ohio State’s new-look offense under Chip Kelly next fall on October 26 when Matt Rhule takes his program on the road to Columbus.