Chip Kelly, UCLA Agree to Contract Extension Through 2027; Money Not Announced

UCLA announced Friday that it agreed to a contract extension with head football coach Chip Kelly.

While financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, his contract will now run through the 2027 season, according to ESPN's Heather Dinich.

UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond said the following about the move:

"I am excited about our football program under the leadership of Coach Kelly and his talented staff. The football program is on an upward trajectory, both on the field and in the classroom. Coach Kelly and his staff have done a tremendous job developing young men as demonstrated by their academic excellence."

The 59-year-old Kelly was hired by UCLA prior to the 2018 season and has posted a 27-29 record during his five years with the program.

When Kelly took over as the Bruins' head football coach, they had posted back-to-back losing seasons under Jim Mora.

UCLA went 3-9, 4-8 and 3-4 in Kelly's first three seasons at the helm, but things have started to turn around over the past two campaigns.

The Bruins went 8-4 in 2021, which at the time was their best record since going 10-3 in 2014. UCLA qualified for the Holiday Bowl that season, but it wasn't played because of the COVID-19 protocols.

Last season was Kelly's best with the Bruins, as they went 9-4, including a 6-3 mark in Pac-12 play. They also played in their first bowl game since the 2017 season, losing 37-35 to Pittsburgh in a thrilling Sun Bowl.

Kelly has a history of success as a collegiate head coach, specifically within the Pac-12 Conference.

In four seasons at Oregon from 2009 to 2012, Kelly posted a 46-7 record and reached the National Championship Game once, falling to Auburn.

Kelly also spent four seasons as a head coach in the NFL, going 26-21 with one playoff appearance in three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, and just 2-14 with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016.

The struggles with the Niners prompted his return to the college ranks, and he seemingly has UCLA on the ascent.

UCLA has not played in the Pac-12 title game since 2012 and has never won that game since its inception in 2011.

Now that Kelly has the Bruins moving in the right direction, playing for the Pac-12 title is likely the next major goal for him and the program.