Oregon boosters hope Oregon's ultra-successful coach leaves

Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports | USATODAY

Oregon boosters love Chip Kelly on the field, where he has led the Ducks to four Bowl Championship Series appearances in a row since replacing Mike Bellotti in 2009. Off the field, however, boosters think they can do better.

In an article by John Locanthi of the Willamette Week, several boosters – many anonymously – slammed Kelly's unwillingness to participate in the kind of schmoozing and glad-handing that made both of his predecessors, Bellotti and Rich Brooks, so popular from Sunday to Friday.

Writes Locanthi:

"A number of substantial Oregon football boosters, many of whom requested anonymity, expressed a widespread annoyance with Kelly. The coach with the highest winning percentage (45-7, 86.5 percent) among BCS conference coaches is at odds with many of those closest to the Oregon program. Although most would agree Kelly is an extraordinary coach, he doesn't care much for the many other obligations that come with his job."

Another Oregon alum, Jack Roberts, told Locanthi, "Some of the college boosters have gone as far as to say, 'I hope he does leave so we can get somebody who appreciates the fans.' "

An anonymous source told Locanthi the relationship between Kelly and boosters is strained:

"As revolutionary as Chip has been on the field with the no-huddle offense, he's been more revolutionary in how he acts toward social functions."

Chip Kelly: revolutionary even when he's not trying.

One of the anecdotes Locanthi relates in his piece touches on the weekly meet-and-greet Oregon coaches have long had with the Oregon Club of Portland. While Brooks and Bellotti would dutifully make the trip every Thursday, Kelly videoconferences with every Oregon booster club across the state simultaneously.

And Kelly won't even golf with boosters. While Brooks and Bellotti would schmooze at the annual golf fundraiser, Kelly sent assistants in his stead in 2011. "When he did come to the tournament this year, according to several boosters, he didn't mingle and partnered with a small, select group," Locanthi writes.

Oh, and then there's this: Kelly "treats the press like a malignant tumor." The gall! How dare he!

Locanthi quotes Rob Moseley, the Oregon beat writer for The Register-Guard: "If you approached Bellotti with a frivolous question, he would still go out of his way to try to give you something to work with. Chip will not."

The relationship Kelly has with boosters – and vice versa – might be one reason why Oregon's coach was willing to listen to offers from the NFL last winter and may do so again after the Ducks' season ends in the Fiesta Bowl against Kansas State. Wouldn't that be the saddest thing to ever happen to Oregon football?

Oh, and before I forget: Kelly is 45-7 at Oregon, has won three of the last four conference titles, has reached four BCS games in a row and is the greatest offensive mind in college football. Would Oregon boosters rather watch the Ducks in the BCS at a distance or shake hands with a coach at midfield of the Sun Bowl?