Oregon has interest in bringing Kelly back
Oregon is reportedly trying to bring back Chip Kelly.
ESPN is reporting that Kelly is the focus of the Ducks’ search to replace head coach Mario Cristobal, who left to coach Miami last week. The Oregonian first reported that Oregon has requested permission to pursue Kelly, 58, who is the head coach of UCLA.
Kelly took Oregon to the BCS championship game in 2010 as he went 46-7 in four seasons with the Ducks (2009-12) and won 12 games each of his last three seasons, finishing ranked in the AP’s top five each of those seasons.
Kelly departed to the NFL, coaching the Philadelphia Eagles (2013-15) and, for one illfated season, the 49ers (2016).
He is in his fourth season with UCLA, enjoying his first winning season with the Bruins (8-4), who will play North Carolina State in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego on Dec. 28.
He still has another year on his five-year, $23.3 million contract and would owe a $9 million buyout if he lives UCLA before Jan. 15.
ESPN also reported that Cal head coach Justin Wilcox has been interviewed by Oregon.
USC’s London declares for draft:
USC receiver Drake London has declared his eligibility for the upcoming NFL draft after three seasons with the Trojans.
London was named the Pac-12’s offensive player of the year this week after racking up 88 catches for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns despite playing in only 7½ games for the Trojans. He broke his right ankle in a game against Arizona in late October and missed the rest of the season.
“I cannot wait to get started on the next chapter of my life,” London wrote in a message on his Twitter account. “I will forever be a Trojan and cannot wait to represent the best brotherhood in the NFL.”
London is widely considered one of the top receiver prospects in next year’s draft, and his decision was considered a formality as the Trojans rebuild their program. USC hired head coach Lincoln Riley last month before finishing 4-8 , capping its worst season since 1991.
Florida International lands MacIntyre:
Florida International hired former San Jose State and Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre to lead the Panthers. MacIntyre, 56, was most recently the defensive coordinator at Memphis.
He replaces Butch Davis, the former Miami coach who parted ways with the school after going 24-32 over five seasons. MacIntyre has a career record of 46-65 in nine seasons as a head coach at San Jose State and Colorado. Briefly: Veteran defensive backs coach Corey Raymond is leaving LSU for Florida, a bigtime coup for the Gators’ new head coach Billy Napier . ... Syracuse head coach Dino Babers has hired Bob Ligashesky as the Orange’s special teams coordinator. Ligashesky spent the 2021 season at Bowling Green in the same position. He spent 12 seasons as an NFL assistant and won a Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008 . ... Former UMass head coach Walt Bell was hired as Indiana’s new offensive coordinator . ... Georgia Tech running back Jordan Mason announced he will enter the NFL draft. Mason was the Yellow Jackets’ second-leading rusher with 439 yards.