Charles Edward “Chip Kelly” has been one of the most innovative and closely watched figures in American football coaching over the last two decades. From transforming college offenses to earning one of the biggest coordinator contracts in the NFL, Kelly’s career has had dramatic highs and lows — culminating in his latest move to Northwestern University. Here’s everything you need to know.
Chip Kelly’s Background and Coaching Legacy
Chip Kelly, born November 25, 1963, in Dover, New Hampshire, is an American football coach who has served at both the collegiate and NFL levels. He played defensive back at the University of New Hampshire before beginning a long coaching career in both college football and the NFL.
Kelly first gained national prominence as head coach at Oregon (2009–2012), where his fast-paced offensive schemes revolutionized the sport and led the Ducks to major bowl games and conference titles. After college success, he transitioned to the NFL, becoming head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles (2013–2015) and San Francisco 49ers (2016).
Later, Kelly returned to college football with UCLA (2018–2023) and then served as offensive coordinator at Ohio State in 2024, helping the Buckeyes win a national championship.
Raiders Contract & Salary
In February 2025, the Las Vegas Raiders hired Kelly as their offensive coordinator under new head coach Pete Carroll — a high-profile move that made him the highest-paid coordinator in the NFL, with a contract reportedly worth $6 million per year.
However, Kelly’s time in Las Vegas was short lived. After just 11 games and a disappointing 2-9 start to the season, the Raiders fired him in November 2025, despite his lucrative contract. The team’s offensive struggles — ranking near the bottom of the league in multiple key categories — were cited publicly as reasons for the change.
Who Hired Chip Kelly at Northwestern?
After his Raiders departure, Kelly didn’t stay away from the game for long. On December 30, 2025, Northwestern University announced that Kelly would become the team’s offensive coordinator, joining the Wildcats under head coach David Braun.
Braun and Northwestern leadership framed the hiring as a “program-defining change”, praising Kelly’s offensive creativity, quarterback development skills, and extensive experience. Northwestern finished the 2025 season 7-6, and Kelly’s addition is expected to catalyze the offense under Braun’s leadership.
Chip Kelly’s Wife & Personal Life
While Kelly’s professional accomplishments are well-documented, his personal life is notably private.
He was married to Jennifer Jenkins in the 1990s. The two married in 1992 and divorced in 1999 after seven years together — a fact that remained relatively unknown for many years due to Kelly’s reclusive personal profile.
In recent years, public reports suggest that Kelly has been in a long-term relationship with Jill Cohen, often mentioned in news releases and team statements as his partner or wife. Some official team announcements refer to her as his wife, though detailed public confirmation from Kelly has been limited.
Kelly does not typically discuss his personal life in depth, choosing to keep family and relationships off the record, which contributes to an air of mystery around his private affairs.
Kelly’s Career Earnings & Impact
Over his coaching career, Kelly has earned multi-million-dollar contracts, particularly at the NFL level. His Raiders deal made headlines as one of the richest coordinator deals in league history, reflecting the franchise’s confidence in his offensive expertise.
At the collegiate level, his contracts have also been notable, with previous deals at UCLA reported to pay several million annually before he transitioned back to coordinator roles.
Conclusion
Chip Kelly remains one of football’s most experienced and innovative coaches — known for reshaping offensive strategies at both college and professional levels. His recent move to Northwestern University signals a return to his roots in college football, where his impact may once again be significant. Though his stint with the Raiders was brief and financially notable, Kelly’s broader legacy is defined by decades of leadership, creativity, and influence in the sport.
