Overview
- ESPN, citing unnamed sources, reported the hire and other outlets echoed the news, while Northwestern has not issued a formal announcement.
- Kelly would replace play-caller Zach Lujan, whose contract expires after the season, on head coach David Braun’s staff.
- Northwestern finished No. 96 nationally in total and scoring offense and 15th in Big Ten scoring this season, as the program prepares to open a new Ryan Field next year.
- Kelly won a national title as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator in 2024, and analysts expect his scheme to resemble his more run-focused UCLA offenses rather than his past Oregon tempo.
- He was fired as the Raiders’ offensive coordinator on Nov. 23 after a 2–9 start, and previous reports said Las Vegas made him one of the NFL’s highest-paid coordinators at roughly $6 million per year.