“I enjoyed meeting with the Glazer family and general manager Mark Dominik, but after numerous discussions, I concluded that I have some unfinished business to complete at the University of Oregon,” Kelly said in a statement released through the school.
The Bucs are searching for a new coach after firing Raheem Morris after finishing last in the NFC South.
Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens said Oregon granted Tampa Bay permission to talk to Kelly.
Kelly’s record is 34-6 at Oregon with three conference titles in his three seasons. Reports Sunday night said Kelly was close to finalizing a deal with the Bucs, but had a change of heart.
CUNDIFF SPEAKS
Baltimore kicker Billy Cundiff said he had to rush on to the field before his season-ending miss in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game because of a scoreboard malfunction at Gillette Stadium.
Cundiff missed the 32-yard field goal and the Ravens lost to New England, 23-20.
Cundiff said he takes full responsibility for the miss, but explained he was late getting on the field because the scoreboard said it was third down, not fourth down.
A Ravens spokesman said video replays confirm Cundiff’s story, but an unnamed player said the coaches called for Cundiff at least six times and were “furious” that he was not ready.
EXTRA POINTS
Former Washington State and Seahawks defensive lineman Keith Millard was hired by the Titans as a defensive assistant coach. Millard was the NFL’s 1989 defensive player of the year while with the Vikings. … Bears star middle linebacker Brian Urlacher acknowledged he gets shots of the painkiller Toradol, saying it’s “not that big of a deal.” Toradol is legal in the NFL but some claim it increases health risks. … The Giants’ overtime victory over the 49ers was the third-most watched conference championship game in 30 years, earning a 30.6 fast national rating and a 44 share on Fox. The rating was up 9 percent from last year’s Packers-Bears game. … Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is wearing a removable boot on his left leg after being injured in the AFC title game. There was no word on his status for the Super Bowl. … Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice will not interview for the Raiders’ vacant head coaching job as originally planned. Tice was a tight end for the Seahawks and former head coach of the Vikings. … Quarterback Alex Smith, who is set to become a free agent after having a career year, said he “would love to stay” with the 49ers. … The Redskins hired former Buccaneers coach Morris as defensive backs coach and former NFL receiver Ike Hilliard as receivers coach. … The Cleveland Browns hired Tim Hauck, who played safety for the Seahawks in 1997, as defensive backs coach. … The Atlanta Falcons fired defensive backs coach Alvin Reynolds. … Former Bears and Cowboys receiver Sam Hurd hired new attorneys to defend him against accusations that he tried to establish a drug-dealing network. … The Chicago Bears will bring back Kansas City college scouting director Phil Emery and New England pro personnel director Jason Licht for second interviews for their general manager job.
