Oregon's Chip Kelly gets close to taking Bucs job, changes mind

Chip Kelly has been the head coach of the Oregon Ducks for the past three seasons. (Courtesy: AP)

(AP Photo) Chip Kelly led Oregon to three consecutive BCS bowl games. He told the Bucs early Monday he's staying with the Ducks.

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PORTLAND, OR (AP) --

Oregon head coach Chip Kelly announced Monday that he’s remaining with the Ducks, though he says he was flattered by the interest shown in him by the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“I enjoyed meeting with the Glazer family and General Manager Mark Dominik, but after numerous discussions, I concluded that I have some unfinished business to complete at the University of Oregon,” Kelly said in a statement released through the school.

The Bucs are searching for a new head coach after firing Raheem Morris after finishing last in the NFC South.

Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens said Oregon granted Tampa Bay permission to talk to Kelly.

“We are pleased with Coach Kelly’s decision to remain as our head coach,” Mullens said. “Coach Kelly has provided great leadership and remains committed to building on our position among the elite college football programs in the country.”

University spokesman Dave Williford said Kelly is on a recruiting trip and was unavailable for comment Monday.

Kelly is 34-6 at Oregon and has won three conference titles in just three seasons. He led the Ducks to a 45-38 victory over Wisconsin in this year’s Rose Bowl, their first Rose Bowl win in 95 years, and also guided Oregon to a berth in the 2011 BCS championship game, where the Ducks lost to Auburn.

But Oregon also remains a program under investigation by the NCAA over a $25,000 payment made in 2010 to Texas-based Willie Lyles for a recruiting package he provided to the school.

Kelly has risen to prominence in the college coaching ranks in a short time. In 2006, Kelly’s high-powered offense at New Hampshire caught the attention of an Oregon program looking for an offensive coordinator. He took the reins of the Ducks offense in 2007 and the program enjoyed a period of unprecedented scoring success.

Architect of a high-powered spread offense that highlights speed over power, Kelly has employed a unique no-huddle model to take the Ducks to three consecutive BCS bowl games.

A Kelly departure would have been the third high-profile defection from the Ducks’ program this offseason. Star running back LaMichael James and starting quarterback Derron Thomas each recently declared for the NFL draft.

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