Chip Kelly claims he's not interested in returning to Oregon ... but that's not keeping Walter Thurmond from hoping his old coach returns to Eugene ... 'cause the ex-Ducks star says "he's the best candidate."
Thurmond -- a member of Oregon's 2009 Pac 10 champion team -- disagrees with the decision to fire Mark Helfrich after a 4-8 season, but says Kelly would be the best fit to come back to Oregon's sidelines.
"I think knowing the coach, knowing the atmosphere, knowing the people, I think that would be the best candidate to be able to bring him back.