That being said, there’s at least two reasons that it’s surprising the 49ers didn’t let Kaepernick know that Kelly was going to be hired. He noted that the high-speed play Kelly is known for may mean a new kind of fitness training for the players.
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Today, those 49ers hired Kelly as their next head coach.
York told the media in a press conference on January 4 that he was willing to spend whatever it takes to get the team back to championship caliber, but will spend it wisely. “I look forward to watching Trent (Baalke) and Chip work closely to build a team that will make us all proud”. The running back situation is bad, and while the defense has some talent to work with, the 49ers look like more than one offseason of signings, trades and smart drafting before they can compete again in a hard division.
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.
Meanwhile, the New York Giants confirmed that they promoted offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo to the head coaching position, a move that had been reported a day earlier.
Kelly, an offensive minded coach which is what Baalke and York were looking for, has a lot of issues to deal with as he takes over the job. But the question is – if you could not get along with Jim Harbaugh, how are you going to get along with Chip Kelly?
During his time with the Eagles, Kelly proved that he has the X’s and O’s of the game down pat. I think Colin (Kaepernick) would be an ideal quarterback to be in his system….
“Speaking to a source with the 49ers, they don’t believe that Chip Kelly is hungry for more power”, CSNBayArea.com’s National Football League insider Matt Maiocco said on Thursday. “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”. “Blake Bell continues to develop at tight end, (and) they got themselves a nice young player there”.
New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said he will retain all of his usual duties with the football team in 2016. In fact, he went on Twitter to express his feelings about the new hire, telling all his followers, “Guess I might have to start running right now to get in shape”.
Kelly is understood to be keen on retaining out-of-favour quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who was benched after eight games last season.
Perhaps the people at shop49ers.com are simply banking on the fan base’s assumption that Kelly can resurrect Kaepernick’s career.
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So the Eagles, when the Chiefs finish their playoff run, will announce that KC offensive co-ordinator Doug Pederson will become their head coach, replacing Chip Kelly.
