After an extensive search, Chip Kelly will become the 20th head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. The former Philadelphia Eagles head coach interviewed with the 49ers on Thursday, January 7. 49ers CEO Jed York made the announcement on Thursday morning via Twitter.
After a thorough search, Trent & I are thrilled to announce Chip Kelly as the new #HeadCoach of the @49ers
— Jed York (@JedYork) January 14, 2016
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the 49ers won't have an introductory press conference until next week. This will allow Kelly to begin working on his staff.
#49ers won't have introductory Chip Kelly presser until next week due to scheduling matters; allow Kelly to start working on staff.
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) January 14, 2016
Kelly served as the head coach at the University of Oregon from 2009 to 2012, compiling a 46-7 record. He led the Ducks to two Bowl wins over his college coaching career, winning the 2012 Rose Bowl and the 2013 Fiesta Bowl.
He became the head coach of the Eagles in 2013 and had a 26-22 record before being fired on December 29 following a 6-9 2015 season. However, the Eagles finished with a 10-6 record during each of his previous two seasons.
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In 2015, Kelly's Eagles offense finished the season ranked 13th in scoring (23.6), 12th in total yards (364.4), 12th in passing (255.4), and 14th in rushing (108.9). However, his defense finished 28th in points and 30th in yards allowed.
Chip Kelly's defenses finished 28th or worse during his three seasons in Philadelphia. Eagles had league-worst TOP last season. #49ers
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) January 14, 2016
The 49ers had met with Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, who is now the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, former New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, Buffalo Bills assistant head coach and running backs coach Anthony Lynn, Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, and former Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan.
#49ers hire Chip Kelly as 20th head coach in franchise history. #WelcomeCoachKelly https://t.co/uJMLZgO0rd pic.twitter.com/eAyktBZ06H
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 14, 2016
49ers Head Coach Search Timeline
Sun Jan 3 - Jim Tomsula fired following 5-11 season
Mon Jan 4 - Jed York press conference
Mon Jan 4 - Request to interview Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson
Tue Jan 5 - Schedule interview with Bills assistant head coach and running backs coach Anthony Lynn
Ties Jan 5 - Request to interview Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter
Tues Jan 5 - Begin phone discussions with Mike Shanahan
Thur Jan 7 - 49ers interview ex-Eagles head coach Chip Kelly
Thur Jan 7 - 49ers interview Bills assistant head coach and running backs coach Anthony Lynn
Fri Jan 8 - 49ers interview Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo
Sat Jan 9 - 49ers interview Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter
Sun Jan 10 - 49ers interview Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson
Mon Jan 11 - Giants grant 49ers permission to interview former head coach Tom Coughlin
Tue Jan 12 - 49ers interview former Giants head coach Tom Coughlin
Tue Jan 12 - 49ers interview Mike Shanahan
Wed Jan 13 - Browns hire Hue Jackson as their head coach