Ryan Day reflects on trust in Chip Kelly over the years

Ryan Day’s trust in Chip Kelly goes back years so the latter’s fit with Ohio State in 2024 is logical. Kelly left UCLA as the team’s head coach to coach under his former protege.

It was certainly an eye opening move, considering UCLA was moving to the Big Ten but Kelly opted to relinquish head coaching duties and get back to solely coaching football. But Day wouldn’t have brought in his former boss without an immense level of trust.

Considering Day already trusts Kelly with his life, this move made too much sense.

“Yeah, it goes back to growing up in our hometown and playing for him,” Day said at Big Ten Media Days. “And then also coaching for him when he was in the NFL. And then you know, our relationship has always been strong. We lived right near each other for a few years right after COVID and his wife and my wife are very close. So, my kids know him and always treat him like an uncle. So that matters when you’re talking about trust.”

When Kelly was the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles from 2013-15, following his tenure at Oregon, he brought on Day as the quarterback’s coach during his final season.

Day followed Kelly when the latter was fired and coached with the San Francisco 49ers for a year in the same roles.

While the two took different paths from 2017 to the present, Day and Kelly came together for what could be a special season.

“I think he would tell you he is very excited about what he has in terms of the talent level on the perimeter, up front, the running backs, the quarterback options, the tight ends. So that’s the journey that we’re on. You know, what is it that fits that,” Day said. “Then it’s my job as the head coach to make sure it fits complementary football across the board and that the offense is complementing the defense.

“In terms of the second part of your question, what he brings, you know, for me turning it over, I really wanted to have somebody that had head coaching experience. Now, never thought that you would have somebody that was a head coach the way he has been in college and in the NFL and that background. It allows me a little more of a peace of mind and certainly a lot of trust there.”