Reports: Chip Kelly to choose between Florida, UCLA jobs in coming days

By Adam Silverstein
November 22, 2017
Reports: Chip Kelly to choose between Florida, UCLA jobs in coming days
Football

Image Credit: ESPN Images

The Florida Gators‘ coaching search has kicked into high gear over the last week. After a whirlwind Sunday that ended simply enough after a Florida contingent flew to New Hampshire to meet with former Oregon coach Chip Kelly, this now officially appears to be a two-team race with the UCLA Bruins for the services of the current ESPN analyst.

Confirming reports from Tuesday night, ESPN‘s Mark Schlabach reported Wednesday that Kelly met with UCLA brass, including athletic department officials, megadonor Casey Wasserman and former Bruins star quarterback Troy Aiman, who is making a considerable push for Kelly to join the program. Sports Illustrated’s Bruce Feldman clarified that the meeting did not take place in Los Angeles, as previously reported.

USA Today‘s George Schroeder reported soon after that Kelly is being offered positions “in the range of $6 million per year” and has turned down interest from Tennessee and possibly Nebraska as well. He also noted that UCLA being an Under Armour school may play into Kelly’s decision as he’s famously close friends with Nike founder and Oregon megadonor Phil Knight. Florida, of course, is a Nike school.

Kelly is expected to make a decision in the coming days with many assuming that will come on Sunday at the end of college football’s regular season.

The Gators were in the air to see Kelly on Sunday when the Bruins job opened after UCLA chose to fire Jim Mora Jr. and pay his massive $12 million buyout. Florida’s position has been open for 24 days after the Gators and former head coach Jim McElwain parted ways.

It stands to reason that Kelly is conflicted over the choice for myriad reasons, including location, prestige, program status and financial commitment.

UCLA finished construction of a $75 million standalone football facility. Florida is in the midst of getting its plans finalized for one with construction likely not beginning for a year or two. The Gators have a history of committing substantial funds to their program, including for assistant coaches, player development etc. The Bruins do not share that history but have publicly said they are planning to change the direction of the program and do just that.

UF has won three national championships and been competitive for the last 40 years, whereas UCLA only has one claimed national title (1954) and has gone decades without even a conference title.

The recruiting grounds are lush in both states, though there is no doubting the level of talent available in the Sunshine State. Gainesville, Florida, is more insulated whereas Los Angeles is a massive star-studded town where Kelly could work somewhat under the radar even in the shadow of big brother USC.

California has a state income tax of 13.3 percent compared to none for Florida, meaning Kelly would lose $780,000 on a $6 million annual deal. (Though when you consider the monies he is continuing to earn from his NFL contracts, that is probably not much of a sticking point.)

Kelly has a decision to make. Gators fans will be waiting with baited breath. And there’s probably another four days to go.

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