The Las Vegas Raiders have finally hired a new offensive coordinator, as the franchise struck a deal with Ohio State offensive coordinator and former NFL head coach Chip Kelly on Sunday to hire him as their next OC, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Pete Thamel.
Kelly has been out of the NFL since 2016 after a short and unsuccessful stint as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. He spent five years as the head coach of the UCLA Bruins from 2018-2023 before resigning and joining the Buckeyes as offensive coordinator in 2024.
The 61-year-old coordinated one of the most dynamic offenses in the nation with Ohio State this season, and he will now head to Las Vegas in hopes of reviving the team’s incompetent and dull offense.
Why did Raiders hire Chip Kelly?
Kelly becoming the next offensive coordinator of the Raiders is a bit of a surprise, as former Seattle Seahawks OC Darrell Bevell was expected to land the job after Carroll became head coach, per NFL insider Aaron Wilson.
However, it’s worth noting Kelly was one of the finalists to land Las Vegas OC job last year under the previous regime, so the franchise has had its eye on the New Hampshire native for quite some time now.
Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz also gave some more details about Kelly’s return to the NFL and how many executives feel college coaches coming to the pros is emerging as a new trend.
“The collegiate game has, in many respects, become a farm system,” Schultz posted on X on Sunday. “NIL means programs are being run more and more like NFL franchises — and teams are taking notice.”
“Jim Harbaugh helped lead the charge last year, and we should expect more of the same in upcoming coaching cycles.”
Chip Kelly’s return to the NFL signifies what many executives feel will become a new trend: College coaches going to the pros.
The collegiate game has, in many respects, become a farm system. NIL means programs are being run more and more like NFL franchises — and teams are… https://t.co/2jrahggINE
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 2, 2025
Kelly has a ton of experience coaching offense at both levels, and this is a savvy hire from the Raiders. Las Vegas needs some stability in major coaching roles, and though Kelly struggled as a head coach at the NFL level, there’s no denying that he is a high-level offensive coordinator who can elevate a unit when given adequate talent.
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