Oregon Ducks head coach Chip Kelly said Monday he’s staying in Eugene and will not be taking a job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“I am flattered by the interest of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ organization,” Kelly said in a statement sent to media. “I enjoyed meeting with the Glazer family and General Manager Mark Dominik but after numerous discussions, I concluded that I have some unfinished business to complete at the University of Oregon.”
The announcement comes after a number of media reports over the weekend said Kelly was nearing a deal to become the Tampa Bay head coach.
Oregon Athletic Director Rob Mullens said Tampa Bay asked UO for permission to talk to Kelly. Mullens said it’s “no surprise” the NFL is interested in Kelly.
“We are pleased with Coach Kelly’s decision to remain as our head coach,” he said. “Coach Kelly has provided great leadership and remains committed to building on our position among the elite college football programs in the country.”
So far, Kelly has experienced nothing but success in his career at Oregon. In three seasons, he has a 34-6 record.
He won a Pac-10 Conference championship in his first year in 2009, and took the team to the Rose Bowl. Kelly followed that by taking the Ducks to the National Championship Game, where Oregon lost to Auburn.
In 2011, Oregon’s high-powered offense piled up one win after another as they won the Pac-12 Championship and then the Rose Bowl earlier this month.
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