PORTLAND, Ore. -- The man credited with rebuilding the Oregon Ducks football team will become University of Oregon athletic director when he's ready.

Ducks coach Mike Bellotti will one day become UO athletic director, university President Dave Frohnmayer announced Tuesday.

The announcement came as part of Frohnmayer's effort to lay out a succession plan for the athletics program.

Bellotti has been Ducks coach for the last 13 years.

Ducks offensive coordinator Chip Kelly was named the new coach for the football team but a timeline for his ascension was not specified by Frohnmayer.

"While the exact timing of the changes is yet to be determined, I wanted to announce the intended changes to establish the future direction of the department," Frohnmayer said. "I could not be happier that Mike Bellotti has agreed to assume management of the athletics department once Pat decides to step down."

Since his elevation to head coach in February 1995 Bellotti has guided Oregon to a No. 2 ranking in the country, a Fiesta Bowl win following the 2001 season, 11 total bowl appearances and 106 wins, the second-most victories of any Pac 10 conference football program, according to the university.

The Ducks have finished among the nation’s Top 25 college football teams five times in the last nine seasons under Bellotti, and are poised to do so once again this year.

Pat Kilkenny has served as UO athletic director since February 2007; his contract was set to expire next year.

Frohnmayer said Kilkenny will continue to serve in another, limited capacity with the athletics department once Bellotti takes over as athletics director.

"I am pleased we are able to announce (Bellotti) will remain at Oregon once his storied coaching career concludes," Kilkenny said. "I am confident (Kelly) will be a highly successful leader of our football program."

Kelly will take over once Bellotti decides to step down. He has served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach the last two years.

"This is an incredible opportunity for me and I am honored to be named the head coach designate for one of the elite programs in the nation,” Kelly said.

Kelly also said the team would remain focused on pursuing the Pac 10 championship -- and a national championship -- until such time as Bellotti decided to retire.

Kelly had been scheduled to meet with Syracuse University on Wednesday to interview for the head coaching job there.