Chip Kelly Updates: Homecoming May Not Be All That Welcoming

COLUMBUS — Ohio State offensive coordinator and former long-time Oregon Ducks head coach Chip Kelly met with reporters on Tuesday to discuss this weekend’s Top 3 matchup between the No. 2 Buckeyes and No. 3 Ducks. The highlights of everything he had to say can be found below.

How special is this for you going back to Oregon? “It’s a special place and it’s great for our players.” Autzen Stadium at that time of day is truly a special place. He still has family out there and former assistants as well. “It’s about the game. I’m fired up for our players.”
Jordan Burch is playing very well up front. They have nine seniors on defense that play a lot. The secondary has a lot of veterans. They will present a lot of looks to this OSU offense.
Why is the red zone doing so well this year? It’s the players executing. It starts in practice. “This group practices really, really well.” “It’s always the players. They have to execute.”
He and Day have been around each other for so long that they have a shared view on how the game should look. “It’s been great” coaching with him this year.
What makes Jordan Burch so good? He is as big as a defensive tackle but plays defensive end, and plays it well. He has embraced his role. You have to know where he is on every play.
What’s the advice to the team on playing at Autzen? It’s not about the crowd. “It’s about what we do.” This team has a lot of experience playing in big stadiums. You don’t concentrate on the stadium, you concentrate on the opponent. It’s the players vs. the players. It’s not the environment.
What have you learned about Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson? He had only seen highlights of Judkins. Came from a good scheme and good coaching, but seeing his physicality in games has been noticeable. “Not that I didn’t think he had it.” He has good vision and great feet for somebody who is 220 pounds.
Recruiting in 2012 at Oregon is a lot like being in a horse and buggy compared to recruiting there now.
How did your time at Oregon influence your creativity? He got to work for a great head coach in Mike Belotti. They had a veteran staff, and he was the youngest guy on the staff. “You couldn’t help but learn from those guys.” “The big thing there was we had great players.”
What’s the difference between OSU and Oregon? “I never think of that.” “Comparison is the thief of joy.” He doesn’t compare his time at one school to another school. Maybe when he retires. “This game has given me so much.” He has gotten opportunities he would have never dreamed of.
Is he excited to go back this week? “I am.” The passion at Oregon is second to none. Just like at Ohio State.
What did you see early in Ryan Day’s career? He always had a keen mind that always played positions that required decision making. He also played catcher in baseball and point guard in basketball. “It’s not a surprise to us.”
Do you remember your first big game with Ryan Day as your starting quarterback? It was against Rhode Island. He was very well prepared. He knew who he was facing and what he was facing. And he was always just so motivated. You never had to motivate him.