After a lengthy search which included a number of high profile names, the 49ers found their man. The Niners have hired Chip Kelly as their new head coach, CEO Jed York announced. 
“After a thorough search, Trent & I are thrilled to announce Chip Kelly as the new #HeadCoach of the @49ers,” York tweeted on Thursday.
Kelly is a bold and interesting hire for San Francisco. The former Eagles head coach has long been said to be fond of quarterback Colin Kaepernick and Kelly’s ideal offense would feature a mobile signal caller like No. 7. After a disastrous 2015, Kaepernick’s future with San Francisco has been in question. Understudy Blaine Gabbert finished ’15 as the team’s starting QB. Now, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him once again as the focal point of the 49ers’ offense.
Kelly will have to comfortably co-exist with general manager Trent Baalke and CEO Jed York in San Francisco. Kelly’s departure from Philadelphia stemmed in part from him wearing out his welcome within the organization, having been at odds with former Eagles GM Howie Roseman.
Kelly was fired last year at the end of his third season coaching the Eagles. During his three seasons as Eagles head coach, Kelly had a solid 26-21 record. However, after consecutive 10-6 seasons, the wheels came off a little this year, as the new-look roster, which was supposedly tailored to Kelly’s vision, struggled to produce on the field. Although Kelly only took over final say of Philadelphia’s roster moves from Roseman a year ago, he influenced the team’s moves before then as well, and many talented players left town after not always seeing eye to eye with the head coach. DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy, Jeremy Maclin, and Evan Mathis are a few of the players that have departed within the last couple years.
The 49ers will not have an introductory press conference with Kelly until next week, Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee tweets.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
