Chip Kelly is a free agent once again. Does he stay in the NFL or does he go back to college? I think he’ll go back to college. Here’s where he could end up in 2018.

1. Texas A&M: The Aggies have underachieved the past two seasons. After a 6-0 start this season, A&M fell apart down the stretch and lost to Kansas State in the Texas Bowl.

Kevin Sumlin has to make national championship run in 2017 or he could be out. 

The A&M athletic department has deep pockets thanks to an alumni base that has big money donors who want to win. If Sumlin doesn’t get the Aggies back on track and contending next season, those donors would want to make a run at Kelly.

2. Notre Dame: The Irish finished 4-8 this season which is unacceptable. Head coach Brian Kelly cannot afford another losing season or he’s out. 

Kelly has already made staff changes but if those changes don’t pan out, Brian Kelly could be replaced with another Catholic from New England named Kelly. Chip Kelly. 

The Notre Dame job will be appealing to the Chipper because the program has history and tradition, so it’ll satisfy his ego. He can also recruit high end talent to make his spread offense work. 

Of all the potential job openings next season, this one might appeal to Kelly the most.

3. UCLA: Jim Mora Jr. needs to turn things around in Westwood next season or he could be out the door. 

UCLA would be appealing to Kelly because it is in the PAC-12, a conference he knows and he has recruited California before so he has in-roads in the state. 

If the Bruins don’t win eight games or more next season, the administration could be looking to make a change. Kelly would be the ideal replacement.

4. Arizona: Could one spread guru replace another? Sure. The Wildcats finished 3-9 this season. Rich Rodriguez isn’t recruiting at the level he once was.

As I mentioned earlier. Kelly knows the PAC-12 and he also has recruiting in-roads in Arizona as well. He can recruit high end offensive talent to the desert to run his high octane version of the spread offense. 

5. Arizona State: The Sun Devils finished 5-7 and head coach Todd Graham is on the hot seat. 

Arizona State struggles to be relevant in the PAC-12 and the administration despartely wants the football to be successful so that they can generate revenue. 

They have proven in the past that they are willing to spend big money to lure the right coach to Tempe. 

Could the Chipper end up on the other side of the desert? Sure but it’s a long shot. If a more higher profile job isn’t available and Arizona State opens up, Kelly would take the job if offered.

6. Oklahoma State: Businessman T. Boone Pickens has deep pockets and big time expectations for the Oklahoma State football program.

The Cowboys return a lot of talent next season. If current coach Mike Gundy fails to meet the expectations of the Pickens and the alumni, good ol Boone will push for Gundy to be fired. 

That could happen if Pickens is willing to write the check to lure Chip Kelly to Stillwater. 

Other Potential Openings: Michigan (If Harbaugh leaves), Michigan State, Miss State, Ole Miss, Auburn.