2008 Woodie Awards
It's official: Chip Kelly to take job at Oregon
Staff Reports
Issue date: 2/13/07 Section: Sports
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Kelly replaces Gary Crowton, who resigned last month to assume the offensive coordinator role at Louisiana State.
The 43-year-old Kelly has served as the Wildcats' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach since 1999, where his offenses have averaged better than 400 yards of total offense seven of the last eight years and more than 30 points a game each of the past four seasons. As a result, New Hampshire has had three players receive first-team All-America acclaim each of the last two years.
He was named the College Assistant Coach of the Year by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston following the 2005 season in addition to selected as "one of college football's hottest coaches" by American Football Monthly.
"First of all, this is exciting because of everything I've heard about the football program at the University of Oregon," Kelly said. "It's just a dynamic place. Secondly, the opportunity to coach in the Pac-10, which I believe to be one of the top conferences in the country.
"My philosophy has been to coach an attacking style of football and stretch the defenses in as many different ways as you can. You have to get the ball into the hands of your playmakers and let them operate in order to be successful."
The Manchester, N.H., native and 14-year New Hampshire coaching veteran was elevated to offensive coordinator following two years at the Wildcats' offensive line coach (1997-98) and three seasons coaching the school's running backs (1994-96).
He returned to his alma mater following a one-year stint as defensive coordinator at John Hopkins University (1993).
The school's quarterback, Ricky Santos, was the recipient of the Walter Payton Award (awarded annually to the best offensive player in Division I-AA) a year ago after finishing second in the balloting in 2005. He finished his junior year fourth in the country in passing (3,125 yards) and threw for 29 touchdowns, and heads into his senior season passing for 10,240 career yards and 99 touchdowns.
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