Ohio State head coach Ryan Day anticipated the possibility of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly departing for the NFL, a move that materialized after the Buckeyes’ historic run in the expanded College Football Playoff. Kelly, who left his head coaching position at UCLA to join Ohio State, has now secured a role as the highest-paid coordinator in the NFL, earning $6 million annually with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Reflecting on their collaboration, Day shared with Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt, “That was great. We discussed how we had a strong group here, and the dream was to win a national championship. After that, he could decide whether to stay or return to the NFL. That’s exactly how it played out.”
Day expressed pride in their shared journey, noting, “Being able to sit down in a few years, have a beer, and reminisce about this season will be special. We started this together, and to achieve what we did is a great story. So many people back home in New Hampshire are thrilled for him and this next chapter.”
Kelly’s decision to leave UCLA for Ohio State, where he could call plays, ultimately paved the way for his return to the NFL, where he previously coached the Philadelphia Eagles. His tenure with the Buckeyes saw the team improve offensively, finishing fourth in the Big Ten in total offense (429.4 yards per game) and 14th nationally in scoring (35.7 points per game). This marked an uptick from their 2023 averages of 407.9 yards and 30.5 points per game. Ohio State’s performance in the College Football Playoff, averaging 36.3 points across four games, culminated in their first national championship since 2014.
With Kelly’s departure, Day now faces the task of filling both coordinator positions and an offensive line vacancy. Despite losing quarterback Will Howard and their top rushers, the Buckeyes return key players like wide receivers Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and Brandon Inniss, along with promising depth on the offensive line.
As one of the frontrunners for the 2025 national title, Day is well-positioned to attract top talent for these roles. Whether he promotes from within or seeks external candidates, the opportunity to coach at Ohio State remains one of the most coveted in college football.
