As potential replacements for Bill O’Brien as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator, contenders include Chip Kelly and Jason Candle.
Ohio State will soon be searching for a new offensive coordinator again with Boston College set to hire Bill O’Brien as its next head coach, according to multiple reports. O’Brien was named the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach of the Buckeyes in mid-January, but is on the move just three weeks later. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day was asked Wednesday about the possibility of needing to find a replacement for O’Brien and said there are prior candidates from the initial search to circle back to. So, who could the Buckeyes target to run the offense in 2024? Bucknuts’ insiders Dave Biddle and Jonah Booker discussed Toledo head coach Jason Candle and UCLA head coach Chip Kelly as possible replacements for O’Brien during Friday’s episode of the Morning Five.
Booker stated, “I’m on the Jason Candle hiring boat.” “After listening to him, I truly enjoy his philosophy, however I know some people don’t like it. Jason Candle has a problem—he’s ravenous. He has spent fifteen years at Toledo. He wishes to be capable of moving forward. That challenge is what he craves. Thus, I believe it would be beneficial to bring in that head coaching veteran who will also serve as Ryan Day’s sounding board. He would probably be more enthusiastic while recruiting.
Candle, an Ohio native, has worked as a head coach at Toledo for the last nine years, having spent his entire coaching career in the Buckeye State. With seven bowl appearances, he guided the Rockets to two MAC crowns in 2017 and 2022.
According to Biddle, “Jason Candle checks a number of boxes.” “You claimed that he had [nine] years of experience as a head coach. He has a strong 65-35 record at Toledo and is a young man. landed the coaching position at an early age. We all know that Ohio guy, and it’s not only because he’s at Toledo now. coached at Mount Union after going there. As you indicated, I’ve been at Toledo for a very long period. Originally from Ohio’s Salem. He fulfills many requirements. If the pay is right, you’d think Jason Candle would want the position.”
After Kelly’s Tuesday interview for the open offensive coordinator post with the Seattle Seahawks, the future of the Kelly era at UCLA is still unclear. Kelly’s situation was precarious towards the end of the previous season, since there were rumors that he was facing termination. After the Bruins defeated USC in the rivalry game, the UCLA administration openly stated that the stories were untimely and that, at the time, it appeared like his position was secure.
Since then, Kelly’s been linked to various NFL vacancies this cycle, a sign things could be fading for him in Los Angeles. Earlier this offseason, Kelly reportedly interviewed twice for the Las Vegas Raiders’ open OC job. In addition to the Raiders, Kelly’s name was also linked to the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator position by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN prior to the franchise hiring USC offensive analyst Kliff Kingsbury.
“I need to know why Chip wants to get out of UCLA as a head coach.” Booker said. “If you look at their recruiting, their recruiting is horrible at UCLA. I question if Chip Kelly still has it compared to what he had at Oregon. Is he washed up right now? You’re probably not going to get a dynamic recruiter at that position. He’s a guy that really likes that stretch run. I think Ohio State is someone who needs to get down to a gap-scheme, be able to get a hat on a hat and get down field with some physicality. With Chip you’re probably looking at a guy who prefers smaller, more agile offensive linemen who can get to the second level and get more lateral. I think in the Big Ten, especially with the grind, you need to be able to come downhill and run the football. I don’t know if you’re going to be able to get that from Chip Kelly. But he will bring a lot of experience to the table. He was a guy that was a mentor to Ryan Day. So that is some of the positive.”
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