UCLA Football: Are the Bruins destined for a National Championship under Chip Kelly?

With the UCLA football team changing directions and heading in a positive direction with Chip Kelly, can the Bruins compete for a National Championship in the near future?

It has been over 50 years since the UCLA football team won a National Championship. It is their only one, as a matter of fact. Since then, the Bruins have found some success with the 1998 season being the closest UCLA has been to once again becoming a title contendor.

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With the 2018 National Championship being decided last night as Alabama came back to defeat Georgia in overtime, 26-23, it got me thinking about UCLA football’s chances at a National Championship.

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When you are done laughing, hear me out. I’ll wait…

(Looks at the clock impatiently.)

Ok, we are back. As I was writing, is UCLA destined for a National Championship now that they have one of the most innovative minds in college football with Chip Kelly?

Yes and it’s actually not difficult to fathom.

Let’s look at it from two angles. First, aside from a few position groups that are thinned out with depth, the Bruins have a lot of talent on the roster. The problem in the last few seasons is that the former coaching staff failed to develop several players and put them in the best position to succeed.

The Bruins were consistently in the Top 25 recruiting class rankings every year Jim Mora was in charge. For the 2018 class, Kelly (with a little bit of help from Mora) is already building a strong class and getting commitments from top recruits such as 4-star QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, WR Chase Cota and OL Chris Murray.

Chip Kelly’s record and bowl results at Oregon

• 2009: 10-3, Rose Bowl – loss
• 2010: 12-1, BCS Championship – loss
• 2011: 12-2, Rose Bowl – win
• 2012: 12-1, Fiesta Bowl – win

The second angle comes from Kelly and his proven track record in college football. From 2009-12, Kelly and his uptempo offense terrorized the nation. In each of his four years with the Ducks, he made a major bowl, winning his final two and finishing with an overall record of 46-7.

Think about that, in four years he only lost seven games and made it to the National Championship in his second year as a head coach. With the resources, location, facilities, the aforementioned recruiting process and now coaching, it is completely fathomable that UCLA football can compete for a National Championship. Eventually.

Now bear in mind, this is not a given but more of a possibility. Heck, it’s a lot more possible than it was with Mora. Still, it might take a few years to develop a title contendor in UCLA. For now, Kelly and the Bruins should focus on smaller goals to start. Maybe a winning record, the Pac-12 Championship or maybe even a New Year’s Eve game, like the Rose Bowl.

Next: Is the Pac-12 South Division UCLA’s for the taking?

Either way, things are changing at UCLA and fans should be excited, but championships are a ways away. For now, know that Kelly has UCLA on the right path and winning should return to Westwood. Just give it a little time.