A source high in the University of Oregon athletic department confirmed Sunday night to The Register-Guard that Oregon's Chip Kelly has officially accepted the head coaching job for the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
News broke during the NFC Championship game between the 49ers and Giants that Kelly and the Buccaneers had entered serious negotations and that the two sides just needed to agree on the terms of the contract.
Late Sunday night, the deal reportedly was reportedly done, although neither Kelly nor the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had made any announcements.
Here's what The Register-Guards Adam Jude reported at 11:06 pm:
“It’s done,” the source said Sunday night...
Asked if Kelly might change his mind about leaving Oregon, the UO source said: “I can’t even fathom. ... I think all the boxes have been checked.”
One member of the team told The Register-Guard that the players have been left “in the dark” about Kelly’s intentions. Players were instructed Sunday night to attend the team’s scheduled conditioning workouts today, according to a source.
Oregon’s assistant coaches had not been informed about Kelly’s situation either, another source said.
Rumors circulated throughout Sunday that Kelly had been negotiating with the Bucs.
KGW-TV in Portland reported Sunday evening that a deal was “close.” The Tampa Bay Times then reported that Kelly had a “secret meeting” early last week with Bucs general manager Mark Dominik and members of the Glazer family, which owns the team. A UO source said Kelly met with the Bucs’ representatives on Wednesday.
The Times reported that the Bucs had interviewed eight other candidates for their head-coaching job.
National Signing Day for college football recruits is February 1, and the news of Kelly's departure could harm Oregon's recruiting class. Oregon's search for a replacement will begin immediately following the official announcement.
Other Recent Ducks News:
- 4-star offensive guard Cedrick Poutasi, a Utah commit, is taking an official visit to Oregon.
- The exit of QB Darron Thomas goes to show how important recruiting is. Class of 2012 commit Jake Rodrigues just might get a shot at the QB battle this year.
- Oregon's top 2011 recruit De'Anthony Thomas won a national college football award this week.
- 3-star athlete Fabian Moreau, who wanted to take an official visit to Eugene, ended up committing to UCLA.
- After decommitting to Washington, athlete Bryan Harper expressed interest in Oregon. The Ducks agreed and extended him a scholarship offer.
- Offensive lineman Dejon Allen is having second thoughts after Dennis Erickson was fired from Arizona State, his original commitment. Allen is still considering Oregon.
- #11 TE recruit (4-star) Pharaoh Brown committed to Oregon.
- 3-star linebacker C.J. Dozier was considering Oregon after decommitting from Arizona State, but he committed to Arizona on January 15.
- 4-star athlete Jaydon Mickens was planning on visiting Oregon on Jan. 20, but has since canceled. Oklahoma State is now the clear favorite.
- 4-star cornerback De'Vante Harris pushed back his planned visit to Oregon.
- And, finally, heading into the NFL conference championship games this weekend, seven former Oregon Ducks will take the field, including at least one on each of the four remaining teams. Oregon's 7 players is second to Miami's 11 remaining.
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© 2011 Max Price - All Rights Reserved.
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