The University of Florida has been reportedly vetting former Oregon and NFL head coach Chip Kelly, and things are heating up on that front.
Now we’re hearing more buzz that indicates Kelly could soon be signing on the dotted line to become the next head coach of the Gators football program. Darren Heitner, a Florida-based lawyer, passed along this very interesting news Tuesday morning.
I’m now hearing that SEC commissioner has chosen to not stand in way of Florida hiring Chip Kelly if he is the school’s selection. Reporting with @biggamejames36.
— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) November 14, 2017
Additionally, Heitner spoke with WJOX 94.5 FM and said there is “some sort of verbal commitment there won’t be an issue.”
Florida insider Darren Heitner on what he's hearing about Chip Kelly https://t.co/DgRqUo0L83 via @audioBoom
— WJOX 94.5 FM (@WJOX945) November 14, 2017
He reports this could become “very fast-moving” now that the SEC won’t stand in the way of this potential hire. The reason there was any question about this to begin with is that Kelly ran into some issues with the Pac-12 during his tenure with Oregon, when the program was found to have violated some rules.
Kelly is an offensive mastermind who helped the Ducks rise to national prominence in a short period of time. He finished his tenure with Oregon having posted a record of 46-7. Kelly also engineered two bowl wins and took the Ducks to the BCS Championship Game after the 2010 season, losing to the Auburn Tigers by the score of 22-19.