Northwestern announced Monday it has hired Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator after firing its previous offensive staff. Kelly brings extensive NFL and college experience to Evanston.
The former Oregon and UCLA head coach spent this past season as offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders before being fired. It marked his first NFL role since 2016.
Kelly coached at multiple stops between 2007-2024. He led Oregon and UCLA, both formerly Pac-12 teams now in the Big Ten, along with Ohio State.
The hire comes after Northwestern beat Central Michigan 34-7 in the GameAbove Sports Bowl. Coach David Braun continues rebuilding the program.
“I am honored to join the Northwestern Football program,” Kelly said in a statement. “This program and university are clearly on the rise, and the values of the people and this place align with my own. I am grateful for the opportunity. There is tremendous potential under Coach Braun’s leadership, and I’m ready to contribute to this team. There is great momentum around the program, and the opening of the new Ryan Field reflects Northwestern’s commitment to excellence and innovation. It will be a major asset as we continue to move forward, and I am excited to get to Evanston.”
Braun said he’s excited to work with Kelly as the program moves forward.
“They are going to ask hard questions about the vision, commitment, investment and alignment,” Braun said. “I’m confident he wouldn’t have chosen Northwestern if he didn’t believe in my leadership and the alignment that exists [at Northwestern].”
Athletic Director Mark Jackson also commented on the hiring.
“Our student-athletes perform at an exceptional level academically and competitively, and we proudly maintain one of the strongest retention rates in the country, due in large part to Coach Braun’s leadership and the culture he has established,” Jackson said. “We are excited to welcome Chip into the Northwestern family as we prepare to compete at the new Ryan Field, a college football stadium unlike any other ever built, underscoring our commitment to sustained success on and off the field.”
The Wildcats will debut their new Ryan Field facility next season. Kelly’s track record coaching high-level players provides reason for optimism about Northwestern’s offensive future.
