EUGENE -- Oregon football coach Chip Kelly, closing in on a deal late Sunday to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has changed his mind and was already out recruiting for the Ducks Monday morning.
"His heart is with college football and Oregon and he's no longer being considered,'' Bucs general manager Mark Dominik told the Tampa Bay Times on Monday morning.
The University of Oregon athletic department announced Monday morning that Kelly was already out recruiting. An official statement would be forthcoming.
The Eugene Register-Guard reports that Kelly changed his mind just before midnight, after having closed the deal earlier.
A source close to the situation told KGW Sunday evening Kelly would make the jump to the NFL if he could come to terms on a contract. That revelation was hurriedly confirmed by other news outlets.
The Bay Times also reported that Kelly held a secret meeting a week ago with Bucs' owners and Dominik. The Guard reported that all team members were told Sunday evening to report to a Monday conditioning meeting.
Kelly has been Oregon's head coach for three years, winning the conference title in all three, reaching three straight BCS games. The crowning achievement came three weeks ago, when the Ducks won their first Rose Bowl game in 95 years.
