.......That’s the 23 Million dollar question. everyone knows how Nick Saban did but he had many HC years at Toledo, Michigan State and LSU before failing at Washington in the pros (2 years). Then he signed with Alabama having known the SEC from years at LSU. He took over a team that wasn’t horrible a few years before: 6-2 conf/ 10-2 overall but had a bad year in 2006 2-6 conf/ 6-7 overall, and the rest is football lore.
But the record of returning Caches from the NFL often isn't pretty…USC's own John Robinson had a 67-14-3 (.815) record with USC initially, but only 37-21-2 (.633) after his return. Others include (team before the NFL/ and team after). Dan Devine : Mizzou 97-37-7 (.713) to Notre Dame 53-16-1 (.764). Dennis Erickson: Oregon State 31-17 (.645) to ASU 31-31 (.500). Steve Spurrier: Florida 122-27-1(.817) to South Carolina 86-49 (.637). A mixed bag which emphasizes that while the coaching stripes hold somewhat, there are no sure things. It depends on team, personnel and era. Chip spent more time in the pros and away from college ball than all of these.
What about Chip? He was in the Oregon system under Mike Bellotti for 2 years prior (OC) and the team went a collective19-7/ 12-6 in conference. After he left Coach Helfrich went 11-2, 13-2, and 9-4-still a pretty good system. But 7 years will have passed and College ball has changed. The hurry up offense is prevalent and D's have played against it. Most of the recent coaches in the PAC12 are pretty good O coaches and simply will let it fly in games against up tempo teams. Arizona was close to the Kelly playbook this year.
And UCLA has personnel that is different, and despite Rosen at QB (who is not a Kelly typical QB) went 4-8 and 6-6. Not as good a handoff as from Bellotti. How long will it take? Anyone's guess?
But the record of returning Caches from the NFL often isn't pretty…USC's own John Robinson had a 67-14-3 (.815) record with USC initially, but only 37-21-2 (.633) after his return. Others include (team before the NFL/ and team after). Dan Devine : Mizzou 97-37-7 (.713) to Notre Dame 53-16-1 (.764). Dennis Erickson: Oregon State 31-17 (.645) to ASU 31-31 (.500). Steve Spurrier: Florida 122-27-1(.817) to South Carolina 86-49 (.637). A mixed bag which emphasizes that while the coaching stripes hold somewhat, there are no sure things. It depends on team, personnel and era. Chip spent more time in the pros and away from college ball than all of these.
What about Chip? He was in the Oregon system under Mike Bellotti for 2 years prior (OC) and the team went a collective19-7/ 12-6 in conference. After he left Coach Helfrich went 11-2, 13-2, and 9-4-still a pretty good system. But 7 years will have passed and College ball has changed. The hurry up offense is prevalent and D's have played against it. Most of the recent coaches in the PAC12 are pretty good O coaches and simply will let it fly in games against up tempo teams. Arizona was close to the Kelly playbook this year.
And UCLA has personnel that is different, and despite Rosen at QB (who is not a Kelly typical QB) went 4-8 and 6-6. Not as good a handoff as from Bellotti. How long will it take? Anyone's guess?
