With the coaching rumors circulating through college football, one Pac-12 coach may have saved his job this year.

Going into this season, UCLA head coach Chip Kelly was considered to be on the hot seat. After a slow start to his career with the Bruins, time was running out for the head coach who made it back to the college game after NFL forays with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.

But this year, Kelly earned his first winning season at UCLA after beating USC, and it may have saved his job according to Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News:

State of play: The Bruins just walloped USC to secure the first winning record of Kelly’s tenure. A victory over Cal would give him eight wins — by any measure, that’s real progress. Is it enough to satisfy a significant chunk of the fan base that is weary of sub-elite performance? Probably not. But it might be enough for the administration.
What’s next: We have downgraded the likelihood of a vacancy in Westwood based on the upturn in UCLA’s win total. To make a change, the Bruins must have someone better in mind and a solution for the Kelly buyout: It drops from $9 million to zero, but not until Jan. 15. One possibility: As a condition for returning, Kelly must fire defensive coordinator Jerry Azzinaro, whose unit is loaded with talent but has underperformed.
Chance of vacancy: 40%

Kelly could very well still be on the hot seat, but if he is back, it doesn’t mean UCLA is ready to take that next step either. Another poor year next year could put him right back on the hot seat; Chip Kelly has had his struggles before.