49ers hire Chip Kelly as coach

Kelly’s Eagles offenses ranked in the Top 5 in 2013 and 2014 before slipping to 12th this season.

Something happened on the way to the altar.

Steve Spagnuolo will be retained as the team’s defensive co-ordinator with either quarterback coach Mike Sullivan, or more likely, former Miami head coach Joe Philbin, expected to be named offensive co-ordinator. The fact that he’s in San Francisco? “But I always felt that if his quarterback could run, it was real plus”.

There has been thought that Kaepernick could be the kind of mobile quarterback Kelly likes running his fast-paced offense and a good fit.

One big question mark lingers over the hiring of Kelly, though, and that’s how Kelly will gel with Niners general manager Trent Baalke. There’s no indication the Titans gave him serious consideration, which makes you wonder what their braintrust is thinking. Kaepernick, for all his inconsistencies, remains one of the 49ers’ most risky weapons and Kelly knows it. “I would hope that he’s learned that he’s gotta get along better with his employees; that this is a different situation and he’s gotta have everyone onboard with his style and philosophy”, he said. 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith was the first player to comment publicly on the hire.

CEO Jed York, in a statement, described the 49ers as “thrilled” to have hired Kelly, citing his “proven track record” in previous stops with the Eagles and Oregon.

Kelly joins the 49ers after three years with the Philadelphia Eagles.

It’s possible that they’ve bumbled their way into something great with Kelly.

Despite the weirdness, it might be hard for Kelly to be loved less than the recently fired Tomsula.

The team Kelly assembled in Philly was a dysfunctional bunch.

Kelly will be filling out his staff in coming days.

One thing is for certain: the 49ers offense is about to get a lot more exciting. He skates away from a messy situation and lands in the NFC West, hopefully chastened and motivated by failure. The state’s “Live Free or Die” motto arguably mirrors Kelly’s all-or-nothing gusto as a coach.

Kelly had a 26-21 record in his three years with the Eagles, whose 29.6 points per game in that time was third-highest among National Football League teams. He can just coach. Baalke reaffirmed that stance two weeks ago, noting that his concern is not with an April 1 contract clause but rather getting Kaepernick ready for the offseason program, which can begin April 4.

Kelly was awarded the head of football operations with the Eagles following a power struggle with the front office before last season.

Tom Gamble is another reason this job could work for Kelly.

Differences with upper management and quarterback Robert Griffin III ultimately led to a breakup.

Kaepernick, 28, was benched for former first-round pick Blaine Gabbert in November.