Ohio State’s national championship success has been special for many reasons. Beyond Ryan Day’s leadership, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly played a crucial role in orchestrating a dominant run game that dismantled elite defenses like Notre Dame’s.
After the win, Day gave a major shoutout to the veteran coach, who left his position at UCLA to join the Buckeyes for the 2024 season.
Ryan Day Calls Chip Kelly a Mentor
Ohio State’s championship victory came exactly 10 years after the program last lifted the trophy under legendary coach Urban Meyer in 2014. After multiple attempts, the Buckeyes finally broke through in the College Football Playoff, winning it all in a season when they faced heavy criticism following their loss to rival Michigan.
Speaking to reporters this week, Day emphasized Kelly’s impact on the team and how his decades of experience helped shape the Buckeyes’ evolution.
“Very excited to see, you know, a big smile on his face after the game,” Day said about his offensive coordinator, per On3. “For him to leave a head coaching position to come work with me meant a lot, because he’s obviously someone who’s a mentor to me, and I certainly would not be where I am without him.”
“He just has a great feel for the game. He really helped me this year (and I) spent more time outside of the quarterback room.
“Certainly, I was very much involved with the offense, but it allowed me to spread out a little bit and spend more time with the guys on defense—not as much as I’d like to, but still enough to bounce in and out. And I think it brought us all together,” he added.
Chip Kelly’s NFL Interest Grows
The 61-year-old coach has been gaining attention in NFL circles after Ohio State’s championship run. According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, via On3, Kelly is a top target for multiple offensive coordinator positions in the league.
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The Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans are among the teams reportedly interested, while Tampa Bay could also be in the mix. Kelly’s previous four-year stint in the NFL before joining UCLA in 2018 was a mixed bag. While his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers ended in disaster with a 2-14 record, Kelly has since evolved, proving his offensive expertise at the collegiate level.
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