Chip Kelly’s idea to step back from being a head coach and leave UCLA to become an offensive coordinator elsewhere started coming to life during UCLA’s bowl practices.
After former UCLA quarterbacks coach Ryan Gunderson left the Bruins to become the offensive coordinator at Oregon State, Kelly took over quarterback-coaching duties himself as the Bruins prepared to play Boise State in the LA Bowl. Taking on that responsibility reminded Kelly how much he loved being a position coach.
“I just started to think, like I hadn't actually coached a position since 2008,” Kelly said. “My wife remarked, she was like, ‘I haven't seen you this happy in a long time.