The Northwestern Wildcats' new offensive coordinator is hoping for a smooth time in Evanston.
The Northwestern Wildcats' offense has been out-toughed, and outlasted and out-performed by the defense in recent years, which gave head coach David Braun plenty to think about headed into this season.
Braun and the Wildcats committed big money to new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, one of the brightest minds in football and a former national title winner with Ryan Day's Ohio State Buckeyes.
On Friday night, Kelly's interview with Gerry DiNardo of the Big Ten Network was released during which he revealed his thoughts on Chiles, Chiles' former head coach Jonathan Smith, and what has impressed him most about the Wildcats' talented new quarterback.
Oct 25, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Former Michigan State Spartans and current Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Aidan Chiles(2) takes the field prior to a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium. Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images Forged in the Fire
Kelly stated that he has watched Chiles play for quite some time since he came up in the Los Angeles area during his high school days.
He also watched Chiles at Oregon State, where he played under Smith, and Michigan State, where he followed in Smith's footsteps and became his starting quarterback at a second campus location.
"Yeah, I've known Aidan since he was in high school, he's a Los Angeles kid," Kelly said.
"Went to Oregon State and played as a true freshman, which is rare. And then played two years at Michigan State, so the one thing he has, besides his talent, he's played 30-plus games of Power 4 football," Kelly added.
"Aidan's been in hot water, so you're not guessing on what you're going to get."
Kelly called Smith an "outstanding coach," saying that Smith contributed to Chiles being "pretty sharp" while practicing with his offense in Evanston.
While many college football fans and analysts see Chiles as damaged goods coming off of losing seasons in East Lansing, Kelly sees it differently.
He has chosen to see the positives in Chiles' former stops and is now focused on turning him into one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten as the Wildcats prepare to christen their new stadium, Ryan Field, in front of a revitalized fan base.
Physical Traits Set Chiles Apart
Kelly also sounded excited about Chiles' physical gifts, which he has been working to harness this offseason as coordinator.
"He's 6-4, he's 220-plus pounds, he runs over 21 miles per hour, he can really move, he's athletic," Kelly said.
"But he's got a presence because he's been in the huddle for three years now, so now this is his third school but it's his fourth year being a quarterback, so we're really, really excited about him."
Kelly may look at Chiles and think former Heisman candidate Dennis Dixon, based on his physical build, natural talents and gifts.
Chiles is his own player, but the resemblance is uncanny.
If Kelly can get even a fraction of what he got out of Dixon in Eugene, Oregon, it could be an incredible season for the Wildcats offense, perhaps starting from the opening possession on Sept. 5 in Evanston against South Dakota State.
