x
Breaking News
More () »

Reports: Gators interview Chip Kelly for head coaching job

Would Chip Kelly be a good fit for the Florida Gators?
Credit: Thearon W. Henderson
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 11: Head coach Chip Kelly of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during their NFL game against the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

A contingent from the University of Florida, including President Kent Fuchs and Athletic Director Scott Strinklin, met with former NFL and college coach Chip Kelly about becoming the Gators next football coach, according to multiple reports including the Associated Press.

AP reports that the UF contingent met with Kelly on Sunday in New Hampshire, where Kelly lives. It's not clear whether Kelly was actually offered the job at the meeting.

"We continue to have very productive conversations related to our football team," Stricklin told reporters at the airport late Sunday. "We've got a process we're going through. There will probably be some more productive conversations in the days ahead. Lot of interest in the job."

Kelly went 46-7 in four years as the head coach at Oregon, including winning three Pac 10 championships and playing for the 2011 BCS National Championship (a close loss to the Cam Newton-led Auburn Tigers).

However, his tenure ended with some controversy as the school faced NCAA sanctions due to improper payments to a club coach, though Kelly himself was not directly implicated.

He coached the Philadelphia Eagles for three years, leading the team to the 2013 NFC East championship in his first NFL season. He also had a one-year stint as the coach of the San Francisco 49ers in 2016, going 2-14.

Kelly, who currently works as a studio analyst for ESPN, deflected questions from his fellow ESPN host (see clip below) about the Gators opening this past weekend.

Kelly is also linked to the head coaching opening at UCLA, where the Bruins fired Coach Jim Mora on Sunday.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report

Before You Leave, Check This Out