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Ducks offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich, not Boise State head coach Chris Petersen, appears to be the likely successor to Chip Kelly at Oregon. Helfrich has the support of Nike co-founder and major Oregon booster Phil Knight, according to oregonlive.com.
Kelly has been flirting with the NFL for some time now, even agreeing to be the coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season before having a change of heart and returning to Oregon. Most recently, Kelly has been linked to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Oregon went in-house with their last head coaching hire when promoting Kelly to the top job, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that the Ducks are looking to make the same move. Oregon has had great success since bringing Kelly on as offensive coordinator, and much of the team's identity is attached to his fast-paced, attacking offensive system. Keeping Helfrich would allow Oregon to stick with the style that has propelled them to perennial national title contenders.