Northwestern football fans, brace yourselves: the Wildcats have pulled off a headline-grabbing move by officially hiring veteran coach Chip Kelly as their new offensive coordinator. The announcement came on December 30, 2025, and immediately sent shockwaves through the college football world. For a program hungry to elevate its offensive game and make a statement in the Big Ten, Kelly’s arrival promises a fresh start—and a whole lot of intrigue heading into the 2026 season.
Kelly, whose resume reads like a football encyclopedia, isn’t just any coach. He’s a two-time college head coach at Oregon and UCLA, a two-time NFL head coach with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers, and now, after a brief stint with the Las Vegas Raiders, he’s returning to the college ranks. Most recently, Kelly served as the offensive coordinator at Ohio State, helping the Buckeyes to a national championship in the 2024 season. That’s no small feat, and it’s a clear signal of the caliber Northwestern just brought on board.
So, why the sudden change in Evanston? The Wildcats’ offense was, to put it mildly, struggling in 2025. They averaged just over 23 points per game and less than 350 yards per contest—numbers that ranked them near 100th nationally in both categories and dead last in the Big Ten at 22.5 points per game. Head coach David Braun, entering his fourth season at the helm with an overall record of 19-19, knew something had to give. After three seasons that included highs like an 8-5 debut in 2023 and a 7-6 campaign capped by a resounding 34-7 win over Central Michigan in the GameAbove Sports Bowl, Braun decided to part ways with offensive coordinator Zach Lujan, whose contract expires soon after the 2025 season.
For Braun, the addition of Kelly is nothing short of transformative. "His innovative approach to offense using systems that focus on varying tempo, efficiency and smart decision-making, his track record of developing quarterbacks, and his ability to maximize talent are exactly what our program needs at this moment," Braun said in a statement released by the university. He didn’t mince words: "Make no mistake: this is a program-defining change and is reflective of our long-term commitment to the pursuit of championships."
Kelly echoed that enthusiasm, saying, "I am honored to join the Northwestern Football program. This program and university are clearly on the rise, and the values of the people and this place align with my own. I am grateful for the opportunity." It’s hard not to sense the momentum building in Evanston. After a tough few years—including the dismissal of longtime coach Pat Fitzgerald amid hazing allegations that were later disproven—Northwestern is making a statement that it’s ready to compete with the best.
Kelly’s track record is, quite frankly, dazzling. At Oregon, he posted a jaw-dropping 46-7 record from 2009-2012, including a national title game appearance and three consecutive conference championships. His innovative, up-tempo offenses became the envy of college football. At UCLA, his Bruins led the Pac-12 in scoring in both 2020 and 2021, and his 2022 squad averaged a school-record 503.6 yards per game. The 2023 Bruins finished No. 17 nationally in rush offense, and Kelly’s ability to use the transfer portal to bring in veteran talent paid off with 25 wins over his final three seasons in Westwood.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Kelly’s NFL journey was a mixed bag. He led the Eagles to the playoffs in his first season after inheriting a 4-12 team, but was let go in 2015. A one-year stint with the 49ers ended with a 2-14 record. Most recently, his first NFL coordinator job with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025 unraveled quickly, as the team stumbled to a 2-9 start and Kelly was dismissed in late November. Still, his college credentials remain sterling, and Northwestern is betting that his offensive wizardry will translate once again to the Big Ten.
There’s also the matter of timing. Northwestern is set to open a sparkling new Ryan Field next season, a project estimated to cost a whopping $850 million. The new stadium, perched on the shores of Lake Michigan, is more than just a home field—it’s a symbol of the university’s ambitions. Bringing in a coach of Kelly’s pedigree to lead the offense is a perfect complement to this state-of-the-art facility. It’s a clear message: Northwestern is serious about football.
Kelly’s schemes are expected to bring a new energy to the Wildcats. His offenses at both Ohio State and UCLA were known for their tempo-based, RPO-heavy (run-pass option) attacks, with a particular emphasis on dynamic quarterback play and speed at every position. At Ohio State, Kelly helped produce a pair of 1,000-yard rushers, developed Kansas State transfer Will Howard into a dynamic passer, and called the gutsy go-ball to freshman Jeremiah Smith that sealed a playoff win against Notre Dame. The Buckeyes finished 2024 with the country’s No. 14 scoring offense, and Kelly’s impact was undeniable.
For Northwestern, the quarterback position will be crucial. SMU transfer Preston Stone, who started this year, showed promise by tossing three touchdowns in that bowl win over Central Michigan. If Kelly can work his magic and tailor the offense to Stone’s strengths—or develop another playmaker under center—the Wildcats could quickly become one of the Big Ten’s most exciting teams to watch.
It’s not just about X’s and O’s, though. Kelly’s reputation as a recruiter and developer of talent is well established. At Oregon and UCLA, he consistently found players who fit his system and maximized their potential. That adaptability, paired with his extensive experience—35 years at both the college and NFL levels—was a major draw for Northwestern’s administration.
Of course, the Big Ten is a different animal these days, with powerhouses like Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State setting a high bar. But as Kelly prepares to bring his signature style to Evanston, there’s a palpable sense that the Wildcats are ready to shake things up. The combination of a new stadium, a proven head coach in Braun, and an offensive architect like Kelly could be just what Northwestern needs to turn the page on recent struggles and write a new chapter in program history.
For now, all eyes are on the Wildcats as they prepare for spring ball and the opening of Ryan Field. The pressure’s on, but with Kelly calling the plays, there’s every reason to believe Northwestern’s offense is about to get a much-needed jolt. Whether the Wildcats can translate this bold hire into Big Ten success remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—Northwestern football just became a whole lot more interesting.
