SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - The San Francisco 49ers have hired Chip Kelly as their new head coach.
CEO Jed York announced the move on Twitter and so did the team.
York says, "After a thorough search, Trent & I are thrilled to announce Chip Kelly as the new #HeadCoach of the 49ers."
The former Eagles coach will replace fired coach Jim Tomsula. Kelly emerged as the favorite among several experienced candidates that included Mike Shanahan and former Raiders coach Hue Jackson, hired Wednesday to coach the Cleveland Browns.
The 52-year-old Kelly was fired by Philadelphia after Week 16 with one game left in his third season as coach. The former University of Oregon coach was 6-9 in 2015 following two 10-6 seasons, prompting Eagles CEO Jeffrey Lurie to make a change.
Hiring the offensive-minded Kelly could give the 49ers good reason to keep quarterback Colin Kaepernick to work his way back into the dominant, dynamic quarterback he was a few years back with his legs and strong arm.
___
