ESPN announced Friday that they’ve hired former Eagles and 49ers HC Chip Kelly as a studio analyst for the 2017 season.
Kelly will be added to ESPN’s Saturday pregame, halftime and wrap-up shows on ESPN2 and also provide NFL analysis Sundays on SportsCenter.
“Chip is one of the most innovative football minds of our generation,” said Lee Fitting, ESPN senior coordinating producer. “As a coach, he saw the game from a unique perspective, never afraid to take an unconventional approach. We want him to bring that mentality to our college football coverage each week, offering fans a varying viewpoint outside of the conventional thought process.”
“Over the last 30 years, I have experienced football from one perspective – as a coach,” said Chip Kelly. “Working in television will allow me to see the game from a different angle; simultaneously, I‘ll provide viewers an insight to the mindset of a coach and team while offering alternative views of various situations.
“Once I decided to make the move to TV, my familiarity with ESPN, combined with their high-quality production and vital role in college football, it was easily the best network suited for me.”
Kelly had been hoping to remain in the NFL as a coach, but the right opportunity never surfaced for him, even though he was linked to the jobs including the Falcons’ offensive coordinator position.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see him back in the mix for jobs next year.
Kelly, 53, was hired by the Eagles back in 2013 as their head coach. He lasted just under three years in Philadelphia before he was fired during the 2015 season. The 49ers hired him as their head coach soon after.
Since taking the Eagles’ head-coaching job back in 2013, Kelly has produced a record of 28-35 (44.4 percent) as an NFL head coach for Philadelphia and San Francisco including one playoff appearance while he was with the Eagles.
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