Chip Kelly named new San Francisco 49ers head coach

Shortly after the Eagle’s 2014 season had ended the team announced that then-Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman would be stepping down as the General Manager of the team and that Kelly would be taking over as both the head coach and GM of the Eagles, giving him nearly absolute control of the team.

For a coach who firmly believes in his up-tempo offense that utilizes the read-option, Kelly might be in an ideal situation for his offense to really work after watching it stumble during his past year with the Eagles because he didn’t have the players to make it to work. Kelly emerged as the favorite among several experienced candidates that included ex-New York Giants head coach Coughlin, former Raiders, Broncos and Redskins coach Mike Shanahan and former Raiders coach Hue Jackson, who was hired Wednesday to coach the Cleveland Browns.

The next issue with Kelly will be how he relates to his players.

After a dismal campaign in which the 49ers had the worst scoring offensive unit in the NFL, Kelly will be tasked with revitalising San Francisco’s attack.

Kelly, 52, compiled a 26-21 record in three seasons with the Eagles.

“Chip’s passion for the game and vision for the future of this team clearly stood out to us during the search process. That makes a difference”.

The moves were controversial and drama dogged Kelly throughout season. If healthy and if the 49ers decide to keep him, Kaepernick is one of the NFL’s most unsafe dual-threat quarterbacks. 49ers assistant G.M. Tom Gable (“a former close associate of Kelly’s in Philly”, according to Kawakami) should help foster a productive relationship between Kelly and Baalke, too. Armstead played for Kelly at OR and told team officials he thought his teammates would be able to play for Kelly. The 49ers don’t plan on a press conference until mid week next week as Kelly builds his new staff, a team spokesman said. What the announcement doesn’t mention is that Kelly was sacked by the Eagles in December, despite having two years left on his contract there.

Baalke is expected to maintain personnel control with the 49ers. Another who spoke out was running back DeMarco Murray, who the Eagles signed before last season.

The Kelly-Kaepernick hiring should have a symbiotic effect in that regard. Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and running backs coach Duce Staley were also up for their vacant coaching position.