Kelly Releases Statement On Oregon’s NCAA Violations

According to multiple reports, the University of Oregon and the NCAA have agreed that “major” violations occurred during Chip Kelly’s tenure as head coach.

Today, Kelly released the following statement.

“I am aware of the recent reports and of the ongoing investigation being conducted by the NCAA and the University of Oregon. While at Oregon, I know we were fully cooperative with all aspects of the investigation and I will continue to contribute in any way that I can. But until the NCAA rules on the matter, I will have no further comment.”

KATU.com in Portland has received the NCAA’s report, which states the following:

“There were underlying major violations coupled with failure to monitor violations involving the head coach (2009 through 2011) and the athletics department (2008-2011),” NCAA enforcement staff wrote in the report. “While the violations were not intentional in nature, coaches and administrators of a sports program at an NCAA member institution have an obligation to ensure that the activities being engaged in comply with NCAA legislation.”

Kelly was the head coach of the Ducks from 2009 to 2012 and offensive coordinator from 2007 to 2008.

Will Lyles is a key figure in the report, which identifies seven different findings. Lyles ran a recruiting service and began working for Oregon in May of 2008. He established close relationships to high school coaches and athletes in Texas, and provided the Ducks with “a meaningful recruiting advantage.”

The findings also show that Kelly had one too many coaches working on recruiting.

Click on the link for the full details of the infractions.

So, what does this mean for Kelly going forward? It seems very little. According to The Oregonian, the university has proposed a self-imposed two-year probationary period for the program, along with the reduction of one scholarship for each of the next three years.

Kelly will meet with reporters today at 2:45, following the team’s first mini-camp practice.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.
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