Jaguars Interviewed Chip Kelly For HC Position

Despite reports that the Jaguars would not interview Chip Kelly for their vacant head coaching position, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that Jacksonville did indeed interview Kelly before ultimately hiring Doug Marrone last week.

Chip Kelly

Kelly’s NFL coaching career had a promising start in Philadelphia before he took more control of personnel decisions, a move that ultimately proved to be his undoing. He was subsequently hired to be the 49ers’ head coach last year, but his lone season in the Bay Area was a catastrophe, as the 49ers stumbled to a 2-14 record. Kelly and GM Trent Baalke both received their walking papers on January 1.

Given the disappointing ends to his stints in Philadelphia and San Francisco, it is possible that the 53-year-old Kelly’s days as an NFL coach are over. Kelly parlayed a 46-7 stretch at Oregon from 2009-12 into the Eagles’ head coaching job, and he would surely be welcomed with open arms back into the college ranks. However, he denied interest in a potential return to the collegiate game in October, and he recently expressed his desire to become an offensive coordinator (presumably in the NFL).

It is difficult to see that happening, though, as Kelly’s fast-paced offense was a major part of the problem in San Francisco, and despite his initial success, it does not appear as if his style is well-suited to the pros. Nonetheless, it is interesting to note that at least one professional team considered giving him yet another shot at running the show.

View Comments (8)