8 candidates to replace Chip Kelly at UCLA, including Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck

Seemingly no matter what time of year, the never-ending college football coaching carousel continues to spin.

Just as the dust began to settle after the domino effect that followed Nick Saban’s retirement at Alabama, Boston College’s Jeff Hafley kicked off another wave of coaching movement.

Hafley left to become the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator, and newly hired Ohio State offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien was brought in to replace him.

Now, another Power Five job appears to be opening as UCLA’s Chip Kelly is expected to leave his position to become the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator, as was first reported by The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman.

Kelly was rumored to be on the hot seat at the end of 2023, but an upset win over USC likely saved his job. Still, he was apparently looking for greener pastures and was reportedly in the mix for several NFL offensive coordinator jobs.

BREAKING: UCLA’s Chip Kelly is expected to become the new OC at Ohio State, per source. Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day played for Kelly at UNH and later coached with him at three stops. https://t.co/PDDOB76rDq

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) February 9, 2024

He has now found his soft landing spot, and he’ll leave Los Angeles behind with a 35-34 record in a six-year tenure that was headlined by a 9-4 finish in 2022.

Now, as the Bruins embark on a coaching search very late in the cycle, here are eight names that could be in the mix for this job, including another sitting Big Ten head coach.

1

Minnesota Head Coach P.J. Fleck

Fleck has been rowing the boat in Minneapolis since 2017, and he’s seen considerable success relative to the program’s recent history. His 50-34 record is nothing to scoff at, he’s 5-0 in bowl games and he even led the Golden Gophers to an 11-win campaign in 2019 — the program’s best in the modern era.

But Action Network’s Brett McMurphy reports that Fleck could be a top candidate at UCLA, and it’s easy to see why that move might be appealing. Minnesota is a tough job in the Big Ten, and with the new additions, it’s going to be tougher.

The West Division is gone, and that means a relatively easy route to Indianapolis is, as well. Fleck has spent the bulk of his career coaching in the Midwest and has never coached on the West Coast, but it’s easy to see why he could find a job with one of those better-resourced newcomers appealing.

2

USC Defensive Coordinator D’Anton Lynn

This one would, admittedly, be a little awkward. Lynn spent 2023 as the Bruins’ defensive coordinator after a stint as an assistant with the Ravens, and he helmed one of the Pac-12’s better defenses. But Lynn was poached by rival USC in a cross-town coup to serve in the same role this offseason.

While this might be a prodigal son situation, his return would provide the team with the opportunity to make a continuity hire. Lynn is just 34 but is a fast riser in the sport and boasts several years of NFL coaching experience.

3

Former Stanford Head Coach David Shaw

Shaw spent the 2023 season away from the game after a 12-year tenure as the head coach at Stanford. Despite voluntarily stepping down, there’s reason to believe the 51-year-old wants back in. He’s interviewed for multiple NFL jobs this cycle and last, and the San Diego native could have a great opportunity to return to southern California.

He won the Pac-12 three times in Palo Alto and turned in five 10-plus-win seasons. It would be interesting to see what he could do at a program that doesn’t have the same recruiting limitations he faced at Stanford.

4

Alabama Offensive Coordinator Ryan Grubb

Grubb has been a major part of the success that saw Washington reach the CFP title game this year, overseeing the resurgence of Michael Penix Jr.’s career, and he followed coach Kalen DeBoer — who he also previously worked with at Fresno State — to Alabama to serve as the offensive coordinator.

He was seemingly interested in replacing DeBoer in Seattle, however, and the opportunity to end up with a Big Ten head coaching job after all may be too much for the 47-year-old to say no to.

If UCLA wants to keep up the offensive prowess that Kelly brought to the table, this hire would make some sense.

5

Ohio State Co-offensive Coordinator/Receivers Coach Brian Hartline

If UCLA wanted to get a bit of revenge, it could go for a poach of its own from the Buckeyes. Hartline — an elite recruiter and talent developer, particularly when it comes to wide receivers — is seen as a rising star in the sport.

He’s shown he’s not willing to leave his alma mater for just any job, and he’s never coached outside of Columbus. It would certainly be a big jump for Hartline, but this seems like the caliber of job that could catch the 37-year-old’s attention.

6

Oregon Offensive Coordinator Will Stein

Oregon’s offense didn’t miss a beat in 2023, despite losing coordinator Kenny Dillingham to Arizona State, and Stein is a major reason for that. After doing impressive things at UTSA, Stein coached a Heisman Trophy finalist in Bo Nix and directed a highly efficient offense.

At 34, he’s the youngest coach on the list alongside Lynn, and he has no West Coast experience, as he’s only coached in the state of Texas and at his alma mater, Louisville. This would be a slight gamble, but like Grubb, Stein would bring a high-powered offense to the table.

7

Las Vegas Raiders Running Backs Coach DeShaun Foster

The #Raiders are hiring former #Panthers and #49ers RB DeShaun Foster as their RBs coach, sources say. So while Vegas didn’t hire UCLA’s Chip Kelly as OC, the team is nabbing one of his Bruins assistants.

Foster’s been at UCLA all but one year since 2012. Now an NFL coach. pic.twitter.com/0DIzeiI70B

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 2, 2024

A former star running back for the Bruins, Foster has spent the bulk of his coaching career working for his former team. He had been UCLA’s running backs coach since 2017, but he left to take the same job in the NFL with the Raiders on new coach Antonio Pierce’s staff earlier this month.

He’s not as experienced as some other names on this list, but he has a unique understanding of the program, and that could make him an attractive option if some of the prior names don’t show interest.

8

UCLA Assistant Head Coach Brian Norwood

Coach Brian Norwood from UCLA at EHS2day2visit Blake Barnett—keep ‘em coming Blake! #StVrainStorm @goSVVSD @SVVSDsupt @SVVSDdeputy @SVVSD @ErieHigh_AP @LizRussell_edu @ErieHSAthletics @ErieHighSchool @ErieTigerMedia @BoCoPreps @CHSAA @ChadCooper_EHS @matthewsromig @UCLAFootball pic.twitter.com/ZZJacnc5RZ

— Josh Griffin (@TigersPrincipal) May 17, 2022

He may not be the most attention-grabbing option, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Norwood get some play for this job. An assistant head coach (as well as passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach) for the Bruins since 2020, he would be the ultimate continuity hire.

While he lacks head coaching experience, the 58-year-old Norwood has been a coordinator at Baylor, Tulsa, Kansas State and Navy. He’s also served as an assistant head coach in multiple stops.

Hiring a coach away from another program isn’t easy this late in the cycle, and Norwood would probably be the most logical in-house candidate if the Bruins opt to go in that direction.