Reports: Oregon's Chip Kelly Could Be Heading to Tampa Bay Bucs Soon

Oregon head coach Chip Kelly could be ready to test his abilities at the next level. Tampa Bay Times reports that the Ducks' master of the up-tempo offense is in the process of finalizing a deal to become the new head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

KGW.com, in Portland, confirms the report out of Tampa to be true if Kelly can agree to a contract with Tampa Bay.

"Kelly met with the Bucs earlier this past week and both sides are hopeful an agreement can be reached in the next 24-48 hours," Rick Stroud reported Sunday evening (via Tampa Bay Times).

If money is a concern for Kelly, he probably won't have much of a problem getting what he desires. Kelly earned a reported $5,135,000 this season (via Examiner.com).

While getting that much at the NFL level might be difficult for a first-time head coach, the Bucs are owned by Malcolm Glazer, who has a net worth of $2.6 billion and is the owner of Manchester United Football Club as well. Glazer is a man who knows what it takes to win and is not afraid to shell out some dollars to get what he wants.

Glazer's biggest problem has always been selling Tampa as a football destination.

The timing of the decision would make some sense for Kelly. Oregon is losing some significant talent from this season's Rose Bowl and Pac-12 champion team—including star running back LaMichael James and quarterback Darron Thomas, among others.

But perhaps the most significant reason that could be a factor of some margin is the possibility that the NCAA could be bringing some sanctions against the Oregon football program, stemming from alleged recruiting violations.

Kelly moving to the NFL under these circumstances would be reminiscent of Pete Carroll leaving USC for a second job in the NFL, with the Seattle Seahawks. As Carroll left for the pros, the Trojans were hit with NCAA sanctions, including a two-year postseason ban.

That ban expired at the end of this football season, and now the Trojans are primed to become the team to beat in the Pac-12 with the return of quarterback Matt Barkley.

UPDATE: Chip Kelly has apparently had a change of heart and will stay at Oregon.

Kevin McGuire is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook and add him to your Google+ circle.