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When Mike Bellotti interviewed potential offensive coordinators at Oregon in 2007, he sought input from his defensive coaching staff.
To gain the perspectives from the opposite side of the ball, Bellotti had them meet with the candidates.
That gave Nick Aliotti, the Ducks’ longtime defensive coordinator, his first look at a bright assistant coach from New Hampshire named Chip Kelly.
Chip Kelly was Oregon’s offensive coordinator from 2007-08 and head coach from 2009-12.
The two of them would spend the next six seasons together, the first two of them as coordinators before Kelly was promoted to replace Bellotti.
Aliotti has since kept a close eye on Kelly. An analyst with the Pac-12 Networks since his retirement in 2013, he watched Kelly lead UCLA for the past six seasons and was struck by his move to Ohio State this month, leaving a head coaching job to become the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator.
“You don’t see that happening too much in this football world,” Aliotti said.
Chip Kelly was Oregon’s offensive coordinator from 2007-08 and head coach from 2009-12.
In an interview with The Dispatch, which has been edited lightly for length and clarity, Aliotti discussed Kelly, including his no-huddle spread offense that revolutionized the sport, the experience of defending it in practices and his evolution as a play-caller.
“Ohio State is in for some good years ahead with Chip as their offensive coordinator,” Aliotti said.
Q: When Chip first came to Oregon, what were your impressions of what he was doing on offense?
A: The first thing I remember is when Chip interviewed so to speak, we were very impressed by his knowledge of the quarterback zone-read plays and spread offense and whole nine yards. Chip left after the first interview and dinners and a couple beers and stuff and was not going to take the job, and we were…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/q-pac-12-networks-nick-110102117.html
Author : The Columbus Dispatch
Publish date : 2024-02-19 11:01:02
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