EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR) -- With the ink signed on Chip Kelly’s pro football contract making his departure from the University of Oregon “officially official”, talk continues in Eugene and elsewhere about the coach’s future.
Both the Eagles former coach Andy Reid and the Eugene sports talk radio show 'Duck Insider' shared perspectives on Kelly on Thursday, a day after he announced his exit from the University of Oregon.
In Eugene, 'Duck Insider' hosts Jill Savage and Justin Myers weighed in, wondering how long Eugene’s love affair with Chip will last, also how he’ll be received in Philadelphia.
"The Philly media isn't really going to embrace him I think the way that . . . as much as it could have been here in Eugene or with the Portland media as well, but it's going to be a different ballgame entirely. But Justin, he did make them laugh today,” said Savage.
"Once Oregon names a head coach and then letter of intent day, everybody's going to get back to what they care about the most and in Eugene that's Oregon football and it's going to be one of those secondary things as an Oregon fan to pay attention to,” said Myers.
How Kelly’s departure will affect the Oregon Ducks football squad in the coming days also remains up in the air. Rumors swirling from sports insiders online say that Kelly may take some of his coaching staff with him to the Eagles. Thus far, the University of Oregon Athletic Department has yet to confirm any departures apart from Kelly’s.
Beyond Eugene, former Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid is also sharing his perspective on Kelly. Kelly revealed in a Thursday press conference that he spoke with Reid several times before making his decision.
Reid was the Eagles coach for fourteen years. He was recently fired after posted a 4 win and 12 loss record for the 2012 season.
Reid reached out to Kelly first while he was interviewing, telling him about the positive things he saw in the Eagles franchise. Reid told Kelly, “If you get [offered] the Eagles job, take it.”
"I want what's best for the Philadelphia Eagles - that part hasn't changed. I want those kids there and the management to have the best possible coach they can have,” said Andy Reid. “To bring Chip Kelly to that organization . . . I think that's a big get. He's a good football coach.”
Reid also gave Kelly some advice that Kelly relied on Thursday. Reid told Kelly, "Just be yourself and you’ll be fine.”
Kelly just signed his contract with the Eagles today at a press conference. Terms of the deal haven't been released. Andy Reid made an estimated $5.5 million a year.
Chip Kelly's last contract with Oregon, signed in 2010, was one of the most lucrative in college football, valued at a minimum of $2.4 million a year for six years. To leave for the NFL, Kelly or the Eagles will have to pay a $3.5 million buyout.
