Chip Kelly didn't want to leave Eagles, reportedly wants to remain an NFL head coach

The Philadelphia Eagles stunned the NFL on Tuesday night by firing head coach Chip Kelly. Plenty of questions remain about the Eagles' short and long-term future, but as for Kelly himself, it seems as though he didn't want to leave Philly, but nevertheless has plans of his own. According to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, Kelly plans to stay in the NFL as opposed to going back to the college ranks:

Just talked to Chip Kelly, disappointed how it ended but knows it's a results-oriented biz. Insists he wants to remain in the NFL, not college. Was pulled into mtg w owner, said he didn't fight the decision.

Kelly said few times he really wants to remain in the NFL

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) December 30, 2015

And per Les Bowen of the Daily News, Kelly never wanted to leave in the first place:

I am told this was not a matter of Chip wanting to leave.

— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) December 30, 2015

Neither report is terribly surprising. Despite the results of the 2015 season, Kelly had some seriously impressive moments as a head coach in the pros. His offense in 2013 made the Eagles look like the Jetsons in a league full of Flintstones. Things have certainly tapered off since, but that isn't to say teams won't remember Kelly's first game in the NFL and imagine "what if".

And you can bet teams like the Tennessee Titans - led by quarterback Marcus Mariota, in case you've been living under a rock since May - will certainly have interest. Kelly would still be a headline-grabbing hire with some serious coaching upside for a team willing to reign in his power.

Despite the rampant rumors that have followed Chip since he left Oregon in 2013, Kelly has said repeatedly that his plan is to stay in the NFL. Heck, he even bought a house in the Philadelphia area only a couple months ago. And although his resume is a little blemished now, it's not hard to envision an owner wanting to make a big splash by giving Kelly another chance - likely with less power than he was given by the Eagles.

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UPDATE: Glazer also reports Kelly doesn't want personnel control at his next job.

In my convo w Chip he said next stop he just wants to coach & insists he does NOT want to be the personnel guy too. This is significant

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) December 30, 2015