Chip Kelly is staying at UCLA via a new extension with the Bruins.

The program announced the extension Friday afternoon to keep Kelly with the program through 2027. Despite just 10 total wins his first 3 seasons with the Bruins, Kelly has led the program to a 17-8 record the past 2 seasons.

Shortly after the deal became official, Ben Bolch with the LA Times reported on the details of Kelly’s new contract extension. Bolch reports Kelly will make $6.1 million for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

That will be a raise of around $300,000 over his previous contract details before making $6.2 million from 2025-27. According to Bolch, Kelly’s contract was restructured in order to add money to the annual salary and remove retention bonuses.

The new buyout for Kelly is set at $8.5 million if dismissed before December of 2023 but drops significantly to $4.27 million if fired before December 2024. There is no buyout for Kelly if fired prior to December 2025.

If Kelly were to leave the Bruins, he would owe UCLA $3 million if leaving before the end of the 2023 season and $1.5 million if he leaves anytime before the end of the 2025 season.

Outlook for the Bruins

Even with a loss in the Sun Bowl, Kelly provided the program’s first 9-win season this year since 10 wins under Jim Mora during the 2014 season. Now, Kelly has a new deal as he tries to capitalize on the momentum with a 3rd-straight season of 8+ wins.

The deal also helps UCLA solidify things with Kelly as the head coach to lead the Bruins during the jump from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten. With a strong 2023 recruiting class that included 5-star QB Dante Moore, Kelly has the program trending in the right direction before the transition.