COLUMBUS, Ohio Chip Kelly decision to leave Ohio State football after just one season to become the offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders may have surprised some. However, for Kelly and OSU head coach Ryan Day, it was a move that had been in the works for some time.
Speaking on the Joel Klatt Show on Sunday, Day explained that he and Kelly had discussed the possibility of him returning to the NFL. We had a great group here, Day said. The ideal scenario was to win a national championship and then for him to decide whether to stay or pursue an NFL opportunity.
That goal was realized on Jan. 20, when Ohio State secured its ninth national title by defeating Notre Dame marking Day first championship in six seasons leading the program.
Although Day and Kelly only spent one season together in Columbus, their relationship spans decades. Both are from Manchester, New Hampshire, and their connection dates back to when Day played quarterback for Kelly at the University of New Hampshire from 1998 to 2001. Their coaching paths also crossed in the NFL when Day worked under Kelly with the Philadelphia Eagles (2015) and San Francisco 49ers (2016). The 2024 season, however, saw a reversal of roles, with Kelly serving under Day at OSU.
The season turned out just as they had envisioned Day reaching the top of college football while Kelly landed the highest-paid coordinator role in the NFL.
Reflecting on their time together, Day said, In a few years, we’ll sit down with a beer and look back on everything we accomplished. We set out to do something special, and we did it. What an incredible journey.
