Chip Kelly Commits Recruiting Violation By Way Of Mike Bellotti

And the circle of life continues. Oregon was forced to self-report a minor NCAA violation because of something former head coach Mike Bellotti said on ESPN. Bellotti was sharing inside information about two Oregon recruits during a pre-signing day show, and referenced a conversation with Chip Kelly.

The violation involved Arik Armstead and Byron Marshall. This is so stupid.

Armstead, signed as a defensive lineman by Oregon, was considered the top offensive line recruit in the nation this year by some scouting services, prompting other members of an ESPNU panel to question his future position with the Ducks.

Bellotti, however, said that "Arik Armstead is going to play defense; Chip Kelly told me that yesterday."

Bellotti, Kelly's predecessor as UO football coach and later Oregon's athletic director before leaving for ESPN, also noted that Kelly "loves Byron Marshall."

In the grand scheme of NCAA violations, this doesn't even register a blip on the radar. If anything, it's Bellotti's fault for breaking Kelly's confidence -- and Bellotti should know the rules anyway.