Kelly Should Have Flown South For The Winter

Last week, Oregon Sports News columnist Max Price praised Oregon’s Chip Kelly for making, what Price repeatedly called, a “wise” decision. Price’s point proves salient. Kelly’s career compares favorably to that of Dennis Erickson, insofar as both men our offensive savants. Though Erickson burned out of Arizona, his incarnation of the spread attack laid the groundwork for hurry-up scheme that has thrust Kelly and his Ducks into the National spotlight. Erikson’s “Air Express,” as it was called, never translated to the NFL, which certainly gives credence to Price’s assertion that Kelly “wouldn’t have turned the Bucs into contenders.” Still, this misses the point.

Kelly’s window of success is closing. To say this of a team that has played in two consecutive bowl games seems ridiculous, I know. But with Kelly at the helm, Oregon will never be anything other than a second-rate college program that is unable to compete with SEC teams. They simply cannot recruit the athletes needed to contend.

Granted, Oregon’s recent success has certainly lured a few 5-star recruits. Bu, there is still something holding them back from an SEC-esque recruiting bounty. This something is not regional prospects. It is not the loss of LaMichael James. It is not the recent NCAA investigations. It is Chip Kelly.

Since he’s been head coach, the Ducks have not had a player drafted in the 1^st round of the NFL Draft. Heck, Kelly has never had a QB, RB, or WR drafted, period. For recruits, college football is not merely a means of gaining notoriety or obtaining a free education. It is a vehicle through which they can achieve their ultimate goal of getting paid to play.

Kelly’s brand of football does not prepare amateur athletes to become professional football players (His greatest specimen, LaMichael James—arguably the most explosive player in the country—is projected to be a mid-round draft pick). As a result, his ability to recruit has suffered. In 2011, were it not for DeAnthony Thomas’ last minute change of heart, Oregon’s recruiting class would have consisted of Devon Blackmon (00-000-0), Tacoi Sumler (00-000-0), and Colt Lyeria (7-147-5). Not that impressive. What’s worse, this year’s class is rated lower than 2011’s lack luster crop. While Oregon is falling behind, Cal, USC, and Stanford are surging ahead. Their respective recruiting classes rate higher than Oregon’s.

Ultimately, Kelly was foolish not to take the job in Tampa Bay. If he wants to test his offensive genius against the best defensive minds, now is the time. His stock has never been and will never be higher. Likewise, Oregon was foolish not to push him out the door and pursue a head coach who will be able to create lasting success.

In addition to maintaining his own blog at Posttraumaticsportsdisorder.com, Scott also writes for BayAreaSportsGuy.com, SickoftheRadio.com, and Examiner.com. Follow him on Twitter @ScottWarfe.