Courtesy: ESPN
ESPN has added a new big name to its college football coverage roster.
Chip Kelly was named the latest addition this week to the network’s roster of college football analysts. Kelly, who has more than 30 years experience in college and professional football, will serve as a studio analyst for many of the network’s college football broadcasts. According to a press release from ESPN, Kelly will also appear on Friday and Sunday editions of SportsCenter to offer insight on college and NFL matchups.
Lee Fitting, ESPN Senior Coordinating Producer, called Kelly’s outside the box approach as a coach one of his major strong points while discussing his addition to the network’s on-air football roster.
“Chip is one of the most innovative football minds of our generation,” Fitting said. “As a coach, he saw the game from a unique perspective, never afraid to take an unconventional approach. We want him to bring that mentality to our college football coverage each week, offering fans a varying viewpoint outside of the conventional thought process.”
Kelly said in response, he intended to use that unconventional approach when he begins his time with the network, adding he is anticipating starting the next chapter of his football career with ESPN.
“Over the last 30 years, I have experienced football from one perspective – as a coach,” Kelly said. “Working in television will allow me to see the game from a different angle; simultaneously; I’ll provide viewers an insight to the mindset of a coach and team while offering alternative views of various situations. Once I decided to make the move to television, my familiarity with ESPN, combined with their high-quality productions and vital role in college football, it was easily the best network suited for me.”
From 2009 – 12, Kelly served as head coach of the University of Oregon’s football team, compiling a record of 46 – 7. That record included wins in the Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl, and a trip to the College Football National Championship. In 2009 and ’10, he led the Ducks to the Pac-10 title. He also led the team to the Pac-12 title.
His time at the helm in Oregon is only one part a 24-year college football career. Before taking the helm at Oregon, he also spent two years as the team’s offensive coordinator. He spent the past four seasons in the National Football League, including a stint at the helm of the Philadelphia Eagles.
While leading the Eagles, Kelly led the team to a 10 – 6 record and led the team to the NFC East title.
Kelly’s own accolades include Pac-10 Coach of the year in 2009. He earned four separate coach of the year awards in 2010 including the Associated Press Coach of the Year award.
Kelly will start his on-air college football career with ESPN with the start of this year’s college football season.
More information on Kelly’s addition to ESPN’s college football broadcast ranks is available online now along with all of the latest college football news at:
Website: http://www.espn.com/college-football
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CFBonESPN
Twitter: http://twitter.com/espncfb
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