UCLA appears to be close to hiring Chip Kelly and Florida may have already moved on to Plan B

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• Chip Kelly has not made a final decision, but “all signs point to” him taking the UCLA job.
• Kelly has canceled his normal Saturday studio duties, suggesting a decision is imminent.
• Florida appears to have moved on and Central Florida coach Scott Frost is now at the top of their wish list.
• The Gators may have to move quick on Frost who would have a hard time turning down Nebraska.

The first major chip in the college football coaching carousel may be ready to fall as Chip Kelly appears to be close to a return to coaching in a surprising location — UCLA — and the University of Florida is already moving on to their Plan B.

Kelly met with Florida officials about their coaching vacancy and many assumed he would take that job. However, after UCLA abruptly fired Jim Mora Jr. last week, Kelly’s future may have taken a detour and now he appears to be close to accepting the Bruins’ job.

Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports reported that UCLA is “finalizing a deal” to make Kelly their next football coach.

Earlier, Mark Schlabach of ESPN reported on Saturday morning that Kelly still hasn’t made a final decision but that “all signs point to” Kelly being the next Bruins head coach.

“All signs point to Chip Kelly accepting the UCLA job,” Schlabach said on ESPN. “I’m told he hasn’t made a final decision between the Bruins and Florida. But I was just told that decision could come today or tomorrow.”

Rece Davis of ESPN also noted that Kelly has canceled his normal Saturday studio duties on ESPN2, suggesting that a decision appears to be imminent. Thamel also said an agreement with UCLA is expected by the end of the weekend.

Schlabach added that UCLA would be giving Kelly “complete control” of the program and “a top-ten salary.”

The ten highest-paid coaches in college football this season had salaries in the range of $5.0 million to $11.1 million. However, only three coaches — Nick Saban at Alabama, Dabo Swinney at Clemson, and Jim Harbaugh at Michigan — had salaries over $6.4 million.

Scott Frost is now reportedly at the top of the Gators’ wish list.Logan Bowles/Getty Images

As for the Gators, Schlabach said they appear to be moving on and that Central Florida head coach Scott Frost is at the top of their list now.

“Florida officials appear to be moving on,” Schlabach said. “A UF official told me yesterday that they feel their chances of landing Kelly has greatly diminished since meeting with him in New Hampshire last Sunday. Florida officials were hoping to meet with Frost and/or his representatives in Orlando on Sunday… But certainly Scott Frost is at the top of Florida’s wish list.”

UCF just completed an undefeated regular season, just two years after going winless.

Florida will need to move quickly on Frost. While Nebraska has not fired head coach Mike Riley, if that were to happen, Schlabach said Frost would have a hard time turning down the school where he won a national championship as a player.

“Somebody close to Frost has told me if Tom Osborne comes calling, Frost is going to have a hard time turning down his alma mater,” Schlabach said.