In a surprising turn of events, Chip Kelly has officially left UCLA and agreed to become the offensive coordinator for Ohio State, reuniting with his longtime friend, Ryan Day. This move comes just over two months after UCLA's athletic administrators expressed their support for Kelly, despite calls for his removal.

Kelly's departure has left UCLA with an unexpected vacancy on the eve of spring practice, forcing the Bruins to consider their options for a replacement. With the coaching carousel slowing down, it may prove challenging to find a highly coveted replacement at this time.

The decision to join Ohio State can be seen as a demotion for Kelly, as he moves from a middling UCLA team to a powerhouse program in the Big Ten Conference. However, the move provides Kelly with an opportunity to enhance his future prospects, as Ohio State consistently competes for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

The connection between Kelly and Day goes back decades, with Day having played quarterback at New Hampshire while Kelly was the school's offensive coordinator. Their professional paths crossed again when Kelly hired Day as his quarterbacks coach during his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers.

While Kelly's departure may come as a blow to UCLA, the program will need to regroup and consider their options moving forward. They will have to navigate a challenging 2024 schedule, featuring matchups against notable teams such as Louisiana State, Penn State, Oregon, Washington, and USC.

Critics of Kelly have pointed to his reluctance to embrace name, image, and likeness endeavors, as well as his challenges in high school recruiting. Despite these criticisms, Kelly continued to recruit until shortly before his departure, although his efforts yielded limited success.

The departure of Kelly may have strained his ties with the university, as his teams failed to achieve more than a tie for second place in the Pac-12 South. UCLA's offensive performance also experienced a setback last season, dropping from a No. 4 ranking in total offense in 2022 to No. 32 in 2023.

Financially, Kelly will have to pay UCLA a $1.5 million buyout, unless a settlement is reached. His contract with the Bruins was set to run through the 2027 season.

With Kelly's new role at Ohio State, attention will now turn to UCLA's search for a new coach. Possibilities include interim coaches or emergency replacement candidates such as Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White, former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, and former Stanford coach David Shaw.

The departure of Chip Kelly marks a significant change for UCLA football, leaving the program with questions about its future direction. As fans anticipate the upcoming season, there may be some awkward moments in 2025, as the Bruins are scheduled to face Ohio State, where UCLA fans may be tempted to express their disapproval of Kelly's departure.