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There is an ancient Chinese proverb which states, “When the wind of change blows, some people build walls, others build windmills.” Change is a constant in both, life and the NFL. The league’s initials are frequently referred to as “Not For Long.” Franchises unable to build strength during times of adversity are doomed to fail. As in life, coaches who demonstrate a willingness to embrace change, enjoy greater success. The wind was blowing hard during Andy Reid’s last season at the helm in Philadelphia and it was clear that change was needed. Owner Jeffrey Lurie realized he needed someone who would build windmills, rather than walls for a team stuck in a death spiral. The man chosen to harness the power of the storm in Philly and push the team back to the playoffs was none other than former Oregon Duck head coach, Chip Kelly.
Kelly (a football genius) is a pioneer who, in his short tenure as a head coach, has been setting trends and turning heads at the highest levels of both collegiate and professional football. In Oregon, Kelly became synonymous with an intense “blitzkrieg” attack, incorporated into a “spread” offense, overwhelming and exhausting his defensive opponents.
This innovative strategy, combined with a “no huddle” offense, proved Kelly one of the top offensive football minds in the nation. A key ingredient in Mr. Kelly’s secret sauce, are fast-paced, upbeat, tempo practices that help players remain focused. The squads run play after play even faster, than the pace in games, because they are not encumbered by referees. The team listens to a variety of motivational music during practices. While some pro teams play “crowd noise” to help players prepare for game conditions, Kelly elects something matching the tempo of his speedy offensive style. In a New York Times article, written by Michael Sokolove, Kelly states, “To me, that stuff is like fingernails on a chalkboard. I like the music because it puts some energy and rhythm in our practice.”
Kelly’s staff corrects player mistakes in the classroom, during film review, saving time for repetitions during field practice sessions. “We play really fast. It gets us in our rhythm and takes the other team out of its comfort zone.” This method will soon be used by most, if not all, NFL teams because of its unparalleled success. Chip Kelly is a devoted football mind, filling every waking hour with his passion. This dedication, due in part because Kelly never married, is unencumbered by outside interests or responsibilities. When asked about his lack of other interests by Sokolove in the N.Y. Times article, “Speed -Freak Football,” Kelly mused, “I’m just a football guy. I love my job.” His love of the game and his players is reflected in his enthusiastic infusion of technology and new ideas to the gridiron.
Kelly searches outside of football for inspiration in leadership and training techniques. His fondness for military training is well known since his days at Oregon, where he used a training plan named “Judgment Day” in 2010. Kelly’s fascination with the Navy Seals conditioning, led him to bring a groundbreaking style of strength-training to the Philadelphia Eagles called “Sports Science.” This rigorous training is a high-tech balance that encompasses closely-monitoring everything from conditioning and nutrition, to proper sleep and hydration. Chip Kelly’s program is the first of its kind in the NFL. Managed by Shaun Huls, Sports Science Coordinator, Huls’ training regimen reduced injuries and improved overall player performance. Employing the same high-tech methods used in his five years as a Conditioning Coordinator with the Navy’s Special Warfare Group II, his program gained immediate credibility with both players and staff throughout the league. High-tech training and high-speed play is resulting in higher performance and the players in Philly seem to be 100% on-board.
Safety Nate Allen recently commented to Rich Hoffman at the Philadelphia Daily News, “Playing fast is a normal pace for us. We just feel fresh and not as run down.” The exact methodology used in Huls’ Sports Science program is a cloaked in secrecy. Huls has never spoken to the press during his time in Philadelphia. The Eagles made a miraculous turnaround in 2013, from 2012, making the playoffs in Kelly’s first year as head coach.
While Chip Kelly’s football program morphed Philly into a high-tech and data-driven enterprise; one year does not provide enough evidence of success. However, it is likely, the offensive genius’ methods are the beginning of a new wave in professional football that will be around for years to come. Brian Baldinger, former player for several pro teams and a current analyst at NFL Network, believes Kelly’s strategies are revolutionary to the game, stating in the New York Times, “It’s going to be copied, from high school up through colleges and all the way to the NFL.” Chip Kelly has been tearing down walls and building windmills all his life. The coach’s time in the city of brotherly love wont be any different.
Christopher DuVall is a writer for the Couch Rider Report. Follow him on Facebook.