Chip Kelly's UCLA Contract: A Comprehensive Overview

Chip Kelly's tenure as the head football coach at UCLA has been marked by both significant progress and high expectations. In recognition of the program's upward trajectory, Kelly signed an extension to remain the football coach at UCLA through 2027. This article delves into the details of Kelly's contract, his performance at UCLA, and the implications of this extension for the university and its football program.

Background: Kelly's Journey to UCLA

Charles Edward Kelly (born November 25, 1963) is an American football coach who is currently the offensive coordinator for Northwestern. He previously served as the head football coach at Oregon from 2009 to 2012, leading them to the 2011 BCS National Championship Game. His success at Oregon led to a stint in the NFL, where he coached for three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles (2013-2015) and one season with the San Francisco 49ers (2016). After his time in the NFL, Kelly returned to college football in 2018 as the head coach for UCLA.

Prior to taking over a rebuilding UCLA program, Kelly achieved a remarkable 46-7 record as the coach at Oregon, including a 33-3 record in conference play. In his final three seasons with the Ducks, his teams consistently ranked among the nation's best, finishing No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5.

Before his success at Oregon, Kelly honed his coaching skills at various institutions. He broke into the coaching ranks in 1990 at Columbia University, serving as the secondary and special teams coach for the freshman team. The following year, he coached outside linebackers and strong safeties for the varsity team. In 1992, Kelly moved to the University of New Hampshire, his alma mater, as the running backs coach. A year later, he became the defensive coordinator at Johns Hopkins University for one season before returning to New Hampshire as the running backs coach for three seasons (1994-96). In 1999, Kelly was promoted to offensive coordinator at New Hampshire.

Contract Extension Details

Chip Kelly's extension to remain the football coach at UCLA through 2027 reflects the university's confidence in his leadership. Showing they believe Chip Kelly is the right coach to lead UCLA into the Big Ten era, school officials gave Kelly a two-year contract extension and accompanying small raise that runs through the 2027 season. According to the contract reviewed by The Times, Kelly will make $6.1 million during the 2023 and 2024 seasons-a $300,000 raise over the previous amounts that included $1-million retention bonuses-before getting a bump to $6.2 million per season in 2025, 2026 and 2027. His contract was restructured to add money to his annual salary while removing retention bonuses.

The new contract rewards Kelly for compiling a 17-8 record over the last two seasons while retaining a reasonable buyout should the Bruins struggle in making the transition to the Big Ten in August 2024. Kelly’s buyout calls for him to receive $8.5 million if he’s dismissed before December 2023 and $4.27 million if he is terminated before December 2024. That amount drops to zero in December 2025. Kelly, who turns 60 in November, would owe the school $3 million if he left before the end of this season and $1.5 million if he departed before the end of the 2025 season.

Financial Aspects of the Contract

Kelly has a $300,000 base salary per year for the duration of his five-year contract and an annual “talent fee” for participation in public appearances at booster gatherings, university functions and UCLA media broadcasts. The talent fee starts at $3 million for the first contract year, which ends on Jan. Kelly can earn up to $1.085 million per year in bonuses for the team’s performance on the field and in the classroom.

Incentive Bonuses

Kelly's new contract includes enhancement bonuses, including $1 million for a College Football Playoff championship (up from $200,000), $800,000 for a CFP title-game appearance (up from $150,000) and $600,000 for a CFP semifinal appearance (up from $100,000). Kelly would make $400,000 for a New Year’s Six Bowl victory (up from $100,000) and $200,000 for a New Year’s Six Bowl appearance (up from $100,000). Kelly’s win bonuses have doubled, giving the coach $50,000 if the Bruins reach nine victories and another $50,000 for 10 victories plus an additional $100,000 for 11 and 12 victories.

Buyout Clause

Kelly's buyout calls for him to receive $8.5 million if he's dismissed before December 2023 and $4.27 million if he is terminated before December 2024. That amount drops to zero in December 2025. Kelly, who turns 60 in November, would owe the school $3 million if he left before the end of this season and $1.5 million if he departed before the end of the 2025 season.

Kelly's Performance at UCLA

Kelly's record has improved in each of his five seasons, but he's yet to reach double-digit wins or play for a conference championship. He's had trouble building buzz in L.A., especially with Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams across town. This extension sends a signal that athletic director Martin Jarmond believes Kelly’s best is still ahead. The team’s winning percentage has increased under Kelly each season and the program ranked in the final AP Top 25 and AFCA Coaches Poll (both No. 21) for the first time since 2014 last season.

Read also: Understanding Chip: A Deep Dive

The Bruins went 9-4 last season, finishing tied for fifth in the Pac-12 Conference before losing to Pittsburgh in the Sun Bowl. They were ranked No. 21 in the final Associated Press poll. Athletic director Martin Jarmond cited the team’s improved record in each of its five seasons under Kelly in making the long-term commitment. “I am excited about our football program under the leadership of coach Kelly and his talented staff,” Jarmond said in a statement. “The football program is on an upward trajectory, both on the field and in the classroom. Coach Kelly and his staff have done a tremendous job developing young men as demonstrated by their academic excellence.”

Offensive Prowess and Defensive Struggles

Kelly’s offenses have consistently been elite, but the Bruins’ defenses have struggled, the biggest reason the team has gone 27-29 since his arrival. UCLA will have its third defensive coordinator in as many seasons after hiring D’Anton Lynn to replace Bill McGovern, who is moving into an administrative role after unspecified health issues caused him to miss five games last season.

High Hopes for the Future

Hopes are high for a breakthrough next season with freshman Dante Moore, the most highly ranked quarterback prospect in school history, likely to lead another dynamic offense that will include transfer running back Carson Steele and high-end receivers J. Michael Sturdivant and Kyle Ford. The defense will be led by returning edge rusher Laiatu Latu, transfer linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo and safety Jordan Anderson.

Implications of the Contract Extension

The contract extension signals UCLA's commitment to Kelly and his vision for the football program. It provides stability and reassurance to recruits, players, and coaching staff, particularly as UCLA transitions to the Big Ten Conference in 2024.

Recruiting Advantage

Coaches prefer to have a four-to-five-year leash at all times so their job security won’t be used against them in recruiting. The extension demonstrates that the athletic director believes Kelly's best is still ahead and that the program is on an upward trajectory.

Transition to the Big Ten

UCLA moves to the Big Ten in 2024. Kelly’s previous contract had just three years remaining and would have been up after the Bruins’ second season in their new league. The new contract rewards Kelly for compiling a 17-8 record over the last two seasons while retaining a reasonable buyout should the Bruins struggle in making the transition to the Big Ten in August 2024.

Kelly's Coaching History

Kelly's coaching career began in 1990 at Columbia University, where he coached the freshman team's secondary and special teams. He then moved to the University of New Hampshire, his alma mater, as the running backs coach before becoming the defensive coordinator at Johns Hopkins University. He returned to New Hampshire as the running backs coach and later became the offensive coordinator.

Oregon Ducks (2009-2012)

In his first season as offensive coordinator at Oregon, the Ducks led the Pac-10 in scoring (38.15 ppg) and total offense (467.54 ypg), and also became the highest scoring team while amassing the most yards in the history of Oregon football. Prior to Kelly's arrival at Oregon, Dennis Dixon struggled in his first three seasons at quarterback. Kelly coached the Oregon Ducks to BCS games in each of his four seasons as head coach: the 2010 Rose Bowl, 2011 BCS National Championship Game, 2012 Rose Bowl, and 2013 Fiesta Bowl. Kelly coached Oregon to three consecutive outright conference championships from 2009 to 2011 and a conference division title in 2012. Oregon won its second consecutive BCS bowl game after they defeated #5 Kansas State in the 2013 Fiesta Bowl. Kelly helped the Ducks gain national attention in 2009 after an upset of the then #5 USC Trojans on October 31. Kelly became the first Pac-10 coach to win an outright conference championship in his first season, sending the Ducks to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1995.

Philadelphia Eagles (2013-2015)

In his first season, Kelly reversed the Eagles' fortunes of the previous year. In his second season in Philadelphia, Kelly finished with an identical 10-6 record, despite key injuries to players like quarterback Nick Foles and linebacker DeMeco Ryans. On January 2, 2015, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie announced that Kelly would assume control of the 90-man roster (including authority over the draft and free agency), while Roseman would be "elevated" to the role of Executive Vice President of Football Operations, remaining in control of the salary cap and contracts. Soon afterward, the Eagles traded All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills for linebacker Kiko Alonso (who was a former Oregon Duck under Kelly) and Pro Bowl quarterback Nick Foles to the St. Louis Rams for quarterback Sam Bradford on March 10, 2015, under Kelly's request.

San Francisco 49ers (2016)

On January 14, 2016, Kelly was hired by the San Francisco 49ers as head coach. In Kelly's first game with the 49ers, they defeated the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium during a 28-0 shutout victory. However, the 49ers then went on a 13-game losing streak, with many speculations opening up about trouble between Kelly and general manager Trent Baalke by April 2016.

UCLA Bruins (2018-2023)

On November 25, 2017, Kelly was hired as the head football coach at UCLA. Under Kelly, the Bruins started 0-3 in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1920-1921. The 0-3 start to the 2019 season gave Kelly the worst 15-game start as a UCLA football coach since Harry Trotter. However, when the Bruins played No. 19 Washington State the following week, they erased a 49-17 deficit and won 67-63. Two weeks after the win over Washington State, the Bruins lost at home to Oregon State by a score of 48-31. After an open date, the Bruins traveled to Stanford and defeated the Cardinal 34-16. UCLA got its first win over Stanford since 2008, snapping an 11-game losing streak against the Cardinal. Following the Stanford victory, the 2019 Bruins defeated Arizona State 42-32 at the Rose Bowl. The Bruins led 42-10 heading into the fourth quarter. The Sun Devils were ranked No. 24 in the AP Poll at the time, and they were favored over the Bruins by three points at kickoff. UCLA then defeated Colorado 31-14 the next week, also at the Rose Bowl. After three straight losing seasons, UCLA was 8-4 in 2021. In 2022, they began the season 5-0 for the first time since 2013, and finished 9-4 (6-3 in the Pac-12) with a 37-35 loss to Pittsburgh in the Sun Bowl on a last-second field goal by the Panthers. The Bruins were ranked No. 21 in the final polls.

Ohio State Buckeyes (2024)

On February 9, 2024, Kelly left UCLA after six seasons to become the offensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Kelly replaced Bill O'Brien as offensive coordinator, after O'Brien left Ohio State to be head coach for Boston College.

Las Vegas Raiders (2025)

Kelly was hired by the NFL team, the Las Vegas Raiders, to be their offensive coordinator in 2025, but was fired after Week 12 following a 2-9 start to the season.

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