Oregon A.D. Mullens Thrilled To Have Chip Kelly Back With Ducks

January 7, 2013 /
Daily Emerald, Matt Walks

http://dailyemerald.com/2013/01/07/athletic-director-rob-mullens-ecstatic-to-have-chip-kelly-back-as-head-coach/

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<span title="3:31 PM – 7 Jan 13">3:31 PM – 7 Jan 13</span></p><br />

<p> &middot; <a class="permalink-link js-permalink js-nav" href="/A_Jude/status/288412579397771265" >Details</a></p><br />

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University of Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens held a press conference at the Casanova Center Monday to address the news that Oregon head coach Chip Kelly will remain in Eugene for another season.

Mullens acknowledged the whirlwind of rumors leading up the news breaking late Sunday evening, saying some of the reports were inaccurate. Another rumor floated around social media recently — that Nike co-founder and Oregon booster Phil Knight “stepped up” to keep Kelly around — went unconfirmed by Mullens, though the athletic director did say that contract renegotiations with Kelly and his staff were not part of the initial discussion.

Kelly’s return to the school came on the heels of interviews with three separate NFL teams. The Cleveland Browns are thought by many to have been Kelly’s first choice, but after a deal fell through, Kelly met with the Philadephia Eagles for a reported nine hours.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news Kelly had chosen Oregon around 7:45 p.m. PST.

Mullens also said Monday that at least two out-of-conference teams had inquired about interviewing Oregon offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich for a head coaching position.

Had Kelly left, the coaching vacancy was widely considered Helfrich’s to lose. However, Mullens said he was ready to launch a national search for a replacement, with Helfrich an obvious candidate.

Now that Kelly’s back, though, Mullens made it clear he was “ecstatic.” Asked what he told the 49-year-old coach over the phone, Mullens joked that he didn’t remember — he was too busy high-fiving his kids.

Kelly is 46-7 in four years as head coach of the Ducks, including Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl wins.


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