In a stunning and unexpected reversal, Oregon head coach Chip Kelly has agreed to become the new head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported on Wednesday that Kelly had taken the job, and the Eagles officially announced the hiring shortly after.
Although Kelly was the NFL’s hottest coaching candidate this year, he insisted after meeting with the Eagles and Browns that he would stay at Oregon and wouldn’t listen to any more NFL job offers this year. Apparently he changed his mind.
Kelly is one of the most respected coaches in college football, having led Oregon to BCS bowl games in each of his four seasons as the school’s head coach. But Kelly has an unconventional approach to the game that hasn’t before been seen in the NFL, and not everyone thinks his methods will work at the next level.
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie didn’t make any secret of the fact that he wanted Kelly and wanted him badly. It took a lot of work, but he got his man.