According to a source with direct knowledge of the situation, University of Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley will contact Eagles head coach Chip Kelly as early as Tuesday of this week to “kick the tires” on Kelly’s interest in returning to the college scene, Marc Farzetta of CBS Philadelphia reports.
The source went on to say, “Foley does not plan to officially interview Kelly yet, but will simply gauge Kelly’s interest and make his first pitch.”
Kelly’s name has been brought up before with other college coaching vacancies, but this source actually had the AD ready for action with a timeline.
Florida’s head coaching spot officially opened up when Will Muschamp was let go, following the Gators’ 24-19 loss to Florida State on Saturday night. During his four years in Gainesville, Muschamp went 28-21 and just 10-13 over his last two seasons. Despite the school’s coaching vacancy being so fresh, the source said Foley’s interest in Kelly “goes as far back as August.”
In Kelly’s defense, he says he’s in the NFL to stay.
According to Kelly, he “burned the boats” when asked about a possible return to college at his introductory press conference with the Eagles in January of 2013. It was 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. Conquer or die.
When Foley was asked if he would also contact NFC East rival coach Jason Garrett, Foley responded "lol" via text.
The source went on to say, “Foley does not plan to officially interview Kelly yet, but will simply gauge Kelly’s interest and make his first pitch.”
Kelly’s name has been brought up before with other college coaching vacancies, but this source actually had the AD ready for action with a timeline.
Florida’s head coaching spot officially opened up when Will Muschamp was let go, following the Gators’ 24-19 loss to Florida State on Saturday night. During his four years in Gainesville, Muschamp went 28-21 and just 10-13 over his last two seasons. Despite the school’s coaching vacancy being so fresh, the source said Foley’s interest in Kelly “goes as far back as August.”
In Kelly’s defense, he says he’s in the NFL to stay.
According to Kelly, he “burned the boats” when asked about a possible return to college at his introductory press conference with the Eagles in January of 2013. It was 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. Conquer or die.
When Foley was asked if he would also contact NFC East rival coach Jason Garrett, Foley responded "lol" via text.
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