Charles Edward Kelly born November 25, 1963 is an American football coach currently serving as the offensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He gained recognition as the head coach of the Oregon Ducks from 2009 to 2012, leading them to the 2011 BCS National Championship Game.
Chip Kelly Biography 2025
His success in college football earned him a position in the NFL, where he coached for four years, including three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles (2013–2015) and one with the San Francisco 49ers (2016). After his NFL tenure, Kelly returned to college football in 2018 as the head coach of UCLA Bruins for six seasons before joining Ohio State in 2025.
Chip Kelly Biography Details
| Title |
Offensive coordinator |
| Team |
Ohio State |
| Conference |
Big Ten |
| Annual salary |
$2 million |
| Born |
November 25, 1963 (age 61)
Dover, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| 1981–1984 |
New Hampshire |
| Position(s) |
Defensive back |
Chip Kelly Early Life
Kelly was born in Dover, New Hampshire, and attended Manchester Central High School, where he participated in ice hockey and basketball. He earned a Bachelor of Science in physical education from the University of New Hampshire in 1990. Kelly played quarterback at Manchester Central and later became a defensive back at the University of New Hampshire.
Coaching Career
| Coaching Position |
Team/Institution |
| Secondary & Special Teams Coach |
Columbia University (1990) |
| Outside Linebackers & Strong Safeties Coach |
Columbia University (1991) |
| Running Backs Coach |
University of New Hampshire (1992) |
| Defensive Coordinator |
Johns Hopkins University (1993) |
| Running Backs Coach |
University of New Hampshire (1994–1996) |
| Offensive Line Coach |
University of New Hampshire (1997–1998) |
| Offensive Coordinator |
University of New Hampshire (1999–2006) |
| Offensive Coordinator |
Oregon University (2007–2008) |
| Head Coach |
Oregon University (2009–2012) |
| Head Coach |
Philadelphia Eagles (2013–2015) |
| Head Coach |
San Francisco 49ers (2016) |
| Head Coach |
UCLA Bruins (2018–2023) |
| Offensive Coordinator |
Ohio State University (2025–present) |
Coaching Success and Recognition
| Award/Title |
Year |
| Pac-10 Coach of the Year |
2009, 2010 |
| Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year |
2010 |
| Walter Camp Coach of the Year |
2010 |
| Sporting News Coach of the Year |
2010 |
| AFCA Coach of the Year |
2010 |
| AP College Football Coach of the Year |
2010 |
| Maxwell Club NFL Coach of the Year |
2013 |
| NFC East Division Title |
2013 |
| BCS National Championship Game Appearance |
2011 |
| Pac-12 Championships |
2009–2011 |
Notable Coaching Milestones
| Milestone |
Details |
| First Pac-10 Coach to Win Outright Title in First Season |
2009 |
| Led Oregon to Consecutive BCS Bowl Games |
2010–2012 |
| Undefeated Record Against Rivals |
Oregon State & Washington |
| BCS National Championship Appearance |
2011 |
| Led UCLA to Successful Seasons |
2018–2023 |
| First Year NFL Division Title with Eagles |
2013 |
Coaching Philosophy
| Philosophical Approach |
Description |
| Fast-Paced Offense |
Emphasizing a high-tempo offense with quick plays and minimal huddles. |
| Spread Formation |
Utilizing spread formations to maximize space and create mismatches. |
| Innovation in Play Calling |
Focus on diverse and unpredictable offensive strategies. |
| Player Development |
High emphasis on adapting to player strengths and continuously improving them. |
Offensive Schemes Under Kelly
| Offensive Scheme |
Description |
| Spread Offense |
Fast-paced and wide formations to stretch defenses. |
| Up-Tempo System |
Prioritizing quick, no-huddle plays to maintain pressure. |
| Zone Blocking |
Implemented at New Hampshire with Jerry Azumah’s success. |
| Power Running Game |
Balanced by dynamic running backs and offensive line schemes. |
NFL Stints
| NFL Team |
Role |
| Philadelphia Eagles |
Head Coach (2013–2015) |
| San Francisco 49ers |
Head Coach (2016) |
Key Players Impacted by Kelly
| Player |
Role Under Kelly |
| Dennis Dixon |
Quarterback, Oregon (Heisman candidate) |
| LaMichael James |
Running Back, Oregon (Doak Walker Award winner) |
| Marcus Mariota |
Quarterback, Oregon (Heisman winner) |
| Darron Thomas |
Quarterback, Oregon |
| Ricky Santos |
Quarterback, New Hampshire (Walter Payton Award Winner) |
Kelly Contributions to College Football
| Contribution |
Details |
| Zone-Blocking System |
Revitalized running back play at New Hampshire |
| Spread-Offense Integration |
Changed offensive football strategies at Oregon |
| Player Development |
Elevated individual player achievements to national recognition |
Coaching Tenure at Oregon
| Years at Oregon |
Achievements |
| 2007–2008 |
Offensive Coordinator, Record-breaking offenses |
| 2009–2012 |
Head Coach, 4 Consecutive BCS Bowl Games |
Coaching Tenure at UCLA
| Years at UCLA |
Achievements |
| 2018–2023 |
Head Coach, Led UCLA to consistent performances |
|
Development of key recruits into NFL prospects |
NFL Record
| Team |
Record |
| Philadelphia Eagles |
28–35 (Playoffs: 0–1) |
| San Francisco 49ers |
2–14 |
Kelly Leadership Style
| Leadership Quality |
Description |
| Player-Centric |
Focus on developing players’ skills and maximizing team potential. |
| Strong Communication |
Emphasis on clear, direct, and motivational communication with players. |
| High Expectations |
Consistently demanding excellence while maintaining a positive team atmosphere. |
Chip Kelly Net Worth
Chip Kelly net worth is estimated to be around $14 million.
Chip Kelly Summary
Chip Kelly career has spanned multiple levels of football, from college to the NFL, and his influence continues to shape modern football tactics. Starting with his tenure at Oregon, Kelly transformed the Ducks into one of the most potent offensive teams in college football history, earning numerous coaching accolades along the way. His brief but impactful NFL career included coaching the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers. After returning to college football at UCLA, Kelly revitalized the Bruins before joining Ohio State as their offensive coordinator. With his innovative offensive strategies and leadership style, Kelly remains one of the most respected figures in the football world.
