The Ohio State football team secured the national championship largely due to its exceptional offensive play-calling during the College Football Playoff. Chip Kelly, the team’s offensive coordinator, adopted a far more aggressive approach than he had during the regular season, a strategy that ultimately proved successful. Throughout their four-game journey to the title, the Buckeyes consistently scored no fewer than 28 points, a testament to Kelly’s impact. He had left UCLA for Ohio State with the goal of focusing solely on coaching, which he was able to do for one season.
Speculation had been circulating that Kelly was considering a return to the NFL as an offensive coordinator. Despite these rumors, his active participation in recruiting suggested he might stay with the Buckeyes. However, it has now been confirmed that he was indeed exploring NFL opportunities and has decided to leave Ohio State.
Kelly has accepted a position as the offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders, according to reports from ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Adam Schefter. His departure comes just two weeks after helping Ohio State win a national championship, leaving the Buckeyes in a difficult situation. The team must now replace not only its offensive coordinator but also its defensive coordinator and offensive line coach, creating a significant challenge for head coach Ryan Day.
Although Kelly was never expected to be a long-term solution at Ohio State, his departure still presents a major hurdle. His ultimate goal has always been to return to the NFL, and at 61 years old, this may be his last opportunity to secure a coordinator role and potentially land another head coaching position.
Now, Ryan Day faces a crucial decision. He must determine whether to promote Brian Hartline to offensive coordinator and grant him play-calling responsibilities, or seek an external hire to fill the role. Another option would be to elevate Hartline while taking over play-calling duties himself, as he did during his first five years as head coach.
With three key coaching positions to fill, Ohio State must act quickly to maintain the program’s momentum. The search for a new offensive coordinator will be particularly critical, as the team aims to sustain the success it achieved under Kelly’s leadership. The next few weeks will be pivotal in shaping the Buckeyes’ future.
