ESPN predicts Chip Kelly will win 2014 NFL Coach of the Year

Chip Kelly has been an NFL coach for only one year, but expectations are already quite high for his second season.

After leading the Eagles to a 10-6 record and a playoff appearance in his first year at the team's helm, many experts are expecting both Kelly and the Eagles' offense to take a step forward this season following a full year and an off-season to grow together.

Included among those that expect big things from Kelly this season is ESPN's 'Power Panel,' which is comprised of over 80 national contributors. The panel laid out  predictions for the 2014 season over the weekend, and included among them was Kelly as the consensus pick to win Coach of the Year.

Kelly winning the award would hinge on the level on improvement shown by his Eagles. Ron Rivera won the award last year after leading the Panthers to a 12-4 record on the heels of a 7-9 campaign in 2012.

If ESPN's panel's prediction does come true, Kelly would be the first Eagles coach to win the award since current Kansas City coach Andy Reid took home the hardware in 2002.

For what it's worth, the panel also picked the Eagles to repeat as NFC East champs.