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NFL Analyst Says Chip Kelly Is A Top Candidate For The USC Job

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Mix a three game losing streak, a dismantling at the hands of the Denver Broncos, some previous speculation and an open job at a major college football program, and what do you get? Chip Kelly to USC rumors, that's what you get.

When the USC Trojans fired Lane Kiffin as head football coach, the leap to name Kelly a candidate was not a large one.

Gil Brandt, a senior analyst for NFL.COM, sees Kelly as a top candidate for the job.

UPDATE: Chip Kelly says he's not going to USC

"It would not shock me to see Kelly, 49, leave Philadelphia after one season, especially if the Eagles have a down year. Kelly knows better than most the kind of job this is and can be. He has never been in pro football before this season, and to tell you the truth, I'm not sure he's made for it. He reminds me of Steve Spurrier and Bob Stoops; they were destined to be college coaches," Brandt writes. "Kelly is similar. Being around him a little, I know he's a rah-rah, enthusiastic guy. Guys like that don't cut it for very long in the NFL. What he did at Oregon, transforming an OK program when he got there to what it is today, is nothing short of remarkable. This one could potentially get messy because of the sanctions leveled against Oregon. Kelly received an 18-month show-cause penalty, which would make his re-entry into college football problematic, but not impossible."

Kelly signed a five-year, $32 million deal with the Eagles prior to this season.

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