Chip Kelly is the new head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, the team announced on Thursday.
Kelly was fired last month by the Philadelphia Eagles and didn’t have to wait long to receive a second opportunity as an NFL coach. He was reportedly chosen over Mike Shanahan.
He now receives the chance to help revive a franchise that has won five Super Bowl titles – the most recent following the 1994 campaign.
“As one of the most historic franchises in the National Football League, I realize the high standards and expectations that this position demands and I embrace the challenges ahead,” Kelly said in a statement. “My immediate focus is to build the best coaching staff possible, one that will maximize the abilities of each of our players and put us in the best position to win football games.”
San Francisco is requiring Kelly to only serve as a head coach and he will not be in control of personnel. Trent Baalke remains the club’s general manager.
Kelly, 52, compiled a 26-21 record in three seasons with the Eagles. He won 10 games in each of his first two seasons before going 6-9 in 2015 and being fired with one game remaining.
Kelly will be tasked with pumping up the San Francisco offense and helping the 49ers bounce back from a dismal 5-11 record. The Eagles averaged 26.9 points and 392.8 yards during his tenure.
The job with Philadelphia was Kelly’s first as an NFL coach.
Kelly went 46-7 in four seasons as college coach at Oregon from 2009-12, including a loss to Cam Newton-led Auburn in the national championship game following the 2010 season.
“Chip has a proven track record at both the college and NFL levels that speaks for itself,” 49ers CEO Jed York said in a statement. “We believe strongly that he is the right man to get this team back to competing for championships.
“I look forward to watching Trent and Chip work closely to build a team that will make us all proud.”
Part of Kelly’s fallout in Philadelphia stemmed from his quest to gain more power. He was given control of football personnel decisions after the 2014 season and some of his moves – like trading running back LeSean McCoy to Buffalo and signing high-ticket free agent DeMarco Murray to replace him – didn’t pan out.
Kelly also sent receiver DeSean Jackson packing in March 2014 when he didn’t feel Jackson was fully plugged into his philosophies.
Baalke doesn’t anticipate any issues working with Kelly but there was tension in his relationship with former coach Jim Harbaugh, who parted ways with the franchise after the 2014 campaign.
Baalke expressed eagerness to collaborate with Kelly on reviving the squad.
“Chip possesses all the qualities we were looking for in our next head coach,” Baalke said in a statement. “He has demonstrated the ability to be innovative everywhere he has coached and has had great success throughout his career.
“Chip’s passion for the game and vision for the future of this team clearly stood out to us during the search process. He is an extremely driven individual that I look forward to working with.”
One offseason question facing San Francisco is the status of quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who sharply regressed last season after 2 1/2 solid seasons upon becoming a starter.
Kelly replaces Jim Tomsula, who lasted just one season as San Francisco’s coach.
Kelly is the 20th coach in franchise history.