"I am always of the opinion that – don't just hold onto a coach just because...well, we just hired this guy," Garafolo said. "If it's not right and you feel that it's not right and it's time to move on, great. Chip Kelly did convince the 49ers that he was going to make some changes to what he did, how he operated in Philadelphia, his offense. He did not make those changes. This offense still looks like that old college Oregon offense that a lot of NFL defenses have caught up to."
►
Garafolo: Chip Kelly was 'not adapting enough to the NFL'
Garafolo has also said that Kelly was very high on now-Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback Dak Prescott heading into the 2016 NFL Draft. It was ex-general manager Trent Baalke who refused and nixed the idea.
"There were a lot of people in that building, including Chip Kelly I am told, that liked Dak Prescott going into the draft," Garafolo said. "So the fact that Prescott was tearing it up for the Cowboys while the 49ers are sitting there saying we have an extremely unsettled quarterback situation – 'We liked this guy before the draft. Why is he not on our team?' That was part of the downfall for Baalke."
►
Garafolo: Chip Kelly liked Dak Prescott, Trent Baalke didn't draft him
Baalke was reportedly told that he was being let go on Friday, but was still in attendance for the 49ers' final game of the season, a matchup with the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. Hours after the game, the 49ers officially announced the firings of both Baalke and Kelly.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers in Week 8 power rankings: Did San Francisco fall after first loss?
The San Francisco 49ers suffered their first loss of the season Sunday, falling 29-20 to the Atlanta Falcons. The injury-plagued 49ers now have a bye week to regroup and recover before hosting the Las Vegas Raiders at Levi's Stadium in Week 9. Was the loss in Atlanta simply... -
49ers mailbag: What's the plan on the defensive line? Can DeForest Buckner make a difference? Should SF hold on to their 2027 draft picks?
Well, it didn't take long to shake things up. The biggest story surrounding the San Francisco 49ers so far this week is the trade for DeForest Buckner, bringing the veteran defensive tackle back to the team where he spent the first four seasons of his NFL career. Buckner was a... -
49ers make stance on Eddy Piñeiro clear after kicking struggles
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Monday that the team has not discussed bringing in kickers for tryouts. His comments signaled confidence in Eddy Piñeiro and the hope that the struggling kicker can turn things around this season. General... -
John Lynch: 49ers 'won't hesitate' to make a trade that improves the team
The San Francisco 49ers could look to strengthen their roster ahead of the November 10 NFL trade deadline, especially after the Seattle Seahawks acquired All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson from the Indianapolis Colts. General manager John Lynch joined Bay Area radio station KNBR on...