Chip Kelly calls Pac-12 realignment sad, believes league should stay together – On3.com
Say Goodbye to the Pac-12: Chip Kelly Opens Up About the Final Confrontation With Stanford
When Chip Kelly took the job as head coach of UCLA in 2018, it meant that he’d return to the Pac-12 for the first time since 2009. Little did he know that the Pac-12 as we know it was coming to an end, with his former team, Oregon, and rivals USC, Washington, and UCLA all moving to the Big Ten 2024.
For Kelly, who has enjoyed a plethora of great matchups while at Oregon, and UCLA, this is a bittersweet moment. As he and the Bruins prepare to take on Stanford for the last time for the foreseeable future, the coach has opened up about his ever-changing feelings and the sadness of the Pac-12’s upcoming realignment.
“It’s all sad,” Kelly said. “I have feelings on the whole thing. I think that we should all still be together. Some people should be able to work that out. Let’s criticize them. Let’s not criticize the high school athletes. Let’s criticize the people that are making really good money that have put us in this situation.”
Kelly Reflects on Iconic Pac-12 Battles
Kelly has had some great battles with Stanford while he was at Oregon, going 2-2 against the Cardinal while coaching the Ducks. He reminisced on some of those matchups, noting some of the iconic players to have played for the Cardinal throughout the years.
“The Andrew Lucks and the Toby Gerharts,” Kelly said. “The Kodi Whitfields — I gotta make sure I say that. There’s been some tremendous players there and great rivalries. Zach Ertz is one of the all-time best tight ends to play in this conference and has had a tremendous career in the NFL. So that part’s a little, you know.”
Pac-12’s Final Ride: Play for Playoff Berth and Never Say Never
As bittersweet as this goodbye is, the Pac-12 perhaps going out on top, with some of the most entertaining offenses in all of college football. It looks to have a real Playoff contender in Washington. While Kelly hopes for the league to stay together, he’s still enjoying the final ride of his Pac-12 days.
Additionally, Kelly isn’t ruling out the possibility that some of these teams will meet again later down the road. “We’re gonna keep saying that every week cause there’s only four of us going to one league and another four going to another league and two that didn’t get taken anywhere,” Kelly said. “My feeling on that, I think we should be able to find a way. You never know in this world.”
Stanford Vs UCLA: Saying Goodbye to the Pac-12 and the Last of the Great Rivals
Ahead of the Week 8 game against Stanford, UCLA Coach Chip Kelly speaks out on the end of the beloved Pac-12. Stanford and UCLA will battle for the last time before the Pac-12’s realignment in 2024, here’s a look back on the great battles that have been had between these two mighty teams.
Farewell to an Era, As Chip Kelly Reflects on Pac-12 Rivals
With the consecration of the Pac-12, Kelly reminisces on his battles with Stanford, and the great players who have played there through the years, from Andrew Luck to Zach Ertz.
Battle for the Playoffs: Washington Leading the Charge for the Pac-12
The Pac-12 may be going out on top – with Washington leading the charge for a potential Playoff berth, and UCLA being a surprise contender. Will the Pac-12’s final ride become an epic finale, or will the realignment prove too much of an obstacle to overcome?
Never Say Goodbye: Chip Kelly Hasn’t Given up Hope for a Reunion
Kelly is still hopeful that the league will stay together, and isn’t ruling out the possibility of the teams reuniting down the line. UCLA and Stanford kick off at 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Stanford Stadium – with an epic last hoorah, and a chance for the Pac-12 to go out with a bang.