Ohio State paying former UCLA head coach Chip Kelly $2 million salary to be OC

Ohio State disclosed its revamped coaching roster for the 2024 year, which includes Chip Kelly’s $2 million salary as offensive coordinator.

Contracts obtained by The Athletic through public records requests indicate that the former UCLA head coach will receive $2 million in his first year, $2.1 million in his second year, and $2.2 million in his third year under the terms of the agreement, which expires on January 31, 2027.

Kelly is now Ohio State’s second-highest compensated assistant on the staff. Following his contribution to the Buckeyes’ third-place national finish in total defense, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles received a raise and is currently making $2.2 million.

Kelly’s pay as the head coach of the Bruins was little under $6 million in the previous season, according to USA Today’s salary database. However, he departed UCLA to take a position as Ryan Day’s offensive coordinator after Bill O’Brien was appointed head coach of Boston College.

What the other recent hires at Ohio State are doing is this:

• Matt Guerrieri, the safety coach, signed a two-year contract with a $425,000 basic pay that expires on January 31, 2026. Perry Eliano, a former safeties coach, was paid $515,000.

• James Laurinaitis, the linebackers coach, is paid $350,000 annually and has a two-year deal that expires on January 31, 2026.

• Carlos Locklyn, the running backs coach, recently joined the staff from Oregon. He has a two-year contract with a $650,000 base pay. That is less what Tony Alford, the former coach of the running backs, earned last season ($772,000).

(Photo: Jason Mowry / Getty Images)