Eagles snare Kelly from Ducks

Chip Kelly speaks to members of the media as he arrives at Northeast Philadelphia Airport, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, in Philadelphia. Oregon's enigmatic NCAA college football head coach of four years surprised the school with an early morning phone call Wednesday to say he was leaving to become head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles NFL football team, just a little more than a week after he told Oregon he was staying. (AP Photo/The Philadelphia Inquirer, David Swanson)  PHIX OUT; TV OUT; MAGS OUT; NEWARK OUT
Chip Kelly speaks to members of the media as he arrives at Northeast Philadelphia Airport, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, in Philadelphia. Oregon's enigmatic NCAA college football head coach of four years surprised the school with an early morning phone call Wednesday to say he was leaving to become head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles NFL football team, just a little more than a week after he told Oregon he was staying. (AP Photo/The Philadelphia Inquirer, David Swanson) PHIX OUT; TV OUT; MAGS OUT; NEWARK OUT

— In the end, Chip Kelly chose the NFL.

The Philadelphia Eagles hired Kelly on Wednesday, 10 days after it was announced he had decided to stay at Oregon. Kelly, known as an offensive innovator, replaces Andy Reid, who was fired Dec. 31 after a 4-12 season.

Kelly, 49, will be introduced at a news conference today at the Eagles’ practice facility.

Kelly, who was 46-7 in four years at Oregon, interviewed with the Eagles, Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills in a two-day span after coaching the Ducks to a victory over Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 3.

Eagles General Manager HoThe Eagles are known to have interviewed 11 candidates, including two meetings with Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, but Kelly was thought to be Philadelphia’s first choice.

“Chip Kelly will be an outstanding head coach for the Eagles,” owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. “He has a brilliant football mind. He motivates his team with his actions as well as his words. He will be a great leader forus and will bring a fresh, energetic approach to our team.”

Kelly reportedly was close to signing with the Browns after a long interview Jan. 4. He met with the Eagles for nine hours the next day. That roller coaster ended when Kelly opted to remain - temporarily - in Eugene.

“It’s a very difficult decision for me. It took me so long to make it just because the people here are special,” Kelly told KEZI-TV of Eugene, Ore. “The challenge obviously is exciting for me, but it’s an exciting time and it’s a sad time - saying goodbye to people you love and respect, and I wanted to make sure I talked to my players and did it in the right fashion and talked to our staff. I feel I did.”

The Eagles interviewed two other high-profile college coaches, Penn State’s Bill O’Brien and Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly. Both chose to stay with their schools.

Bradley was considered by many to be the leading contender.

That all changed when Kelly, who built Oregon into a national powerhouse, had a change of heart. The Ducks went to four consecutive BCS bowl games - which included losing to Auburn inthe national championship game two seasons ago - and have won three conference championships.

Oregon finished last season 12-1. The team was ranked No. 1 and appeared headed for another shot at the national championship until a 17-14 loss to Stanford Nov. 17.

Sports, Pages 24 on 01/17/2013

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