LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 14: Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins walks off the field after being defeated by the Oklahoma Sooners 48-14 in a game at the Rose Bowl on September 14, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)With the regular season coming to an end, programs around the country will be making changes to their coaching staff. One of the most surprising names that is being rumored to potentially hit the open market is Chip Kelly.
UCLA hired Chip Kelly two years ago with hopes that he’d immediately elevate the football program. Through two seasons he owns a 7-16 record.
Kelly has proven in the past that he can win at the highest level, but the Bruins aren’t showing much progression right now.
There’s speculation growing about Kelly possibly leaving UCLA after the regular season finale. However, ESPN reporter Adam Rittenberg is saying those rumors aren’t true. The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman was first to report that talk of Feldman leaving UCLA is “erroneous.”
Rittenberg said the issue for UCLA is that Kelly is too loyal to defensive coordinator Jerry Azzinaro.
The Bruins are surrendering 35.4 points per game this season.
Have heard this, too. Tension is around possible staff changes. Kelly is very loyal to defensive coordinator Jerry Azzinaro and other longtime assistants. https://t.co/NtlR3rRnkS
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 30, 2019
Tension could increase if the athletic departments wants Kelly to move on from Azzinaro. Until then though, neither the Bruins or Kelly have plans to part ways.
Besides, the Bruins did sign Kelly to a five-year contract worth roughly $23.3 million. Losing him after just two seasons would be a disappointing end to this experiment.
UCLA will try to end its season on a positive note when it faces California at home.
