LATEST NEWS: Bill O’Brien steps down as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator, and Chip Kelly of UCLA takes his place.

Ohio State’s next offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach will be UCLA coach Chip Kelly, the Buckeyes announced on Friday night.

Bill O’Brien, who was hired Boston College’s head coach on Friday, is replaced by Kelly. O’Brien was hired by Ohio State in the middle of January as a part of head coach Ryan Day’s decision to operate the team more comprehensively and stop calling plays.

Kelly reached a three-year agreement with the Buckeyes. The financial details were not revealed, but sources tell ESPN that Kelly, who earned around $6 million at UCLA, will likely lose more than $4 million in salary as a result of the transfer.

According to sources, Ohio State will also need to pay Kelly a buyout of $1.5 million.

“We are extremely excited to have Chip and his wife, Jill, joining our program,” Day stated. “His background as a head coach in the NFL, UCLA, and Oregon will be immediately beneficial to our whole team. I can’t wait to get back in touch with Chip, introduce him to our squad and staff, and work with him to win a championship.

“I would also like to wish coach Bill O’Brien and his family well as he takes over at Boston College.”

Kelly’s departure from UCLA was announced earlier on Friday, along with the start of a nationwide search for a new head coach.

Kelly left UCLA because he had a strong desire to coach again, partly as a result of working with UCLA’s quarterbacks in the run-up to this year’s Bruins bowl game. Kelly is coaching for the first time in over ten years. Kelly leaves UCLA with the utmost respect for his players and staff, but without any animosity against the school.

Kelly spent six seasons at UCLA going 35-34, finishing with three straight winning seasons. He joins Jeff Hafley (Packers), Mo Linguist (Alabama), and Kane Wommack (Alabama) as the fourth head coach in this cycle to leave a position as head coach in favor of an assistant position.

Martin Jarmond, the athletic director at UCLA, stated that he informed the team that a new coach would be appointed in four days.

Timing is difficult, according to Jarmond.

“We are seeking a permanent leader for our program. I gave the team 96 hours to work with us. It might happen sooner or later. However, we will proceed quickly. That should come first.

Kelly has interviewed for several NFL coordinator positions during this cycle, most recently the offensive coordinator role with the Seattle Seahawks. Rather, he looks to college, where he will reunite with his old buddy and former assistant coach, Ryan Day, the coach of the Buckeyes. Since Day and Kelly are both from New Hampshire, their bond has lasted for decades. Day worked for Kelly in the NFL with the Eagles and 49ers, and Kelly coached Day at New Hampshire University.

Kelly, an innovative offensive coordinator at New Hampshire and Oregon, has long been recognized as a skilled playcaller. Kelly continued to be the playcaller as he went on to become the head coach at Oregon and later in the NFL. His offenses changed from a fast-paced to a methodical NFL approach as a result.

With receiver Emeka Egbuka, tailbacks TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, and transfer quarterback Will Howard on the roster, he will call the plays for a potent unit.

On March 5, Ohio State kicks off spring practice.