Buccaneers

Oregon Head Coach Chip Kelly Turns Down Buccanners

January 23, 2012

The Register-Guard reports that Oregon head coach Chip Kelly has had a “change of heart” about taking the Buccaneers job.

Last night reports had the deal getting done in a matter of hours but it ultimately fell apart.

“His heart is with college football and Oregon and he’s no longer being considered,” Bucs GM Mark Dominik said Monday, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

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Rick Stroud of the St. Petersburg Times confirms the previous report that Kelly is close to becoming the Buccaneers next head coach. Stroud mentions that the deal could be finalized “in the next 24-48 hours.”

It’s interesting that Kelly has decided to make the jump to the NFL now that reports have come out suggesting that he and Oregon could be under an investigation for possible NCAA violations. This be a coming trend for college coaches. Break some rules to build a great team and join an NFL team before the ruling is handed down.

We’ll have more updates coming.

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KGW’s Michael Berk reports that Oregon head coach Chip Kelly is “finalizing” a deal that will make him the next head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

There have been a number of coaching candidates brought in during the last few weeks but there hasn’t been a lot of talk regarding Kelly taking the job. Weeks ago Tony Dungy mentioned that he could be a long-shot to watch during the coaching search.

We’ll have more as the details become available.