University of Florida officials are planning to seek to speak with Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly about the team’s vacant coaching position, several media outlets are reporting.
Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley told CBSPhilly.com he plans “to kick the tires” where Kelly is concerned as early as Tuesday. Kelly previously coached at Oregon, where he guided the Ducks into becoming a perennial power.
Despite the success he’s had with the Eagles, Kelly’s name has often surfaced as a potential candidate when openings have come about at some of the college game’s biggest and most high-profile programs.
Florida recently announced it was parting ways with Will Muschamp, though they allowed the veteran coach to remain at the helm until the Gators had completed their schedule. Florida lost to cross-state rival Florida State on Saturday 29-14. During his four seasons in Gainesville, Muschamp composed a 28-21 record and was just 10-13 over his last two seasons.
For what it’s worth, Kelly continues to insist he’s in the NFL to stay. He recently told reporters “he burned the boats” when he decided to join the Eagles in 2013, a reference to Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortez, who burned his ships after arriving in the New World to let his men know there would be no going back to Spain.
Since joining the Eagles, Kelly has composed a 19-9 record, including a NFC East leading 9-3 mark this season. Winners of four of their last five and two in a row, the Eagles host the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. A week later, they welcome the longtime rival Dallas Cowboys to town, whom they lead by just a game in the division standings.
Behind journeyman quarterback Mark Sanchez, the Eagles traveled to Dallas less than a week ago and ripped their nemesis 33-10, putting their division hopes in their own hands.
The Eagles finish the season facing the Washington Redskins and New York Giants.
[Photo Credit: Zennie62]