Report: Chip Kelly, Mike Shanahan interested in San Francisco 49ers job
By Phil Naegely
The line of interested candidates for the San Francisco 49ers head coaching vacancy has increased by two.
It’s only been a day since the San Francisco 49ers parted ways with former head coach Jim Tomsula. Two big names without a job currently, Chip Kelly and Mike Shanahan, have reportedly expressed interest in the head coaching vacancy.
Among those who have reached out to express interest in a potential 49ers opening: Chip Kelly and Mike Shanahan. Others to come...
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 3, 2016
If the 49ers hired either Kelly or Shanahan, they would send shock waves through the NFL. Kelly would most likely bring his no-huddle, fast paced offense to San Francisco after it working with tempered success the past three years in Philadelphia.
On the other hand, Shanahan reportedly is itching to coach in the NFL again and San Francisco may be a good match. The 49ers would get an improved coach if they hire Shanahan. His past NFL experiences would help the team turn around their disastrous 2015 season and his rapport with past high-profile quarterbacks would be a plus when working with Colin Kaepernick.
However, Kelly may already have a foot in the door due to his previous working relationship with 49ers senior personnel executive Tom Gamble.
As for Chip Kelly, his relationship with 49ers senior personnel exec Tom Gamble remains intact. That relationship could be a key.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 4, 2016
It will be interesting to see which route the 49ers ultimately choose. Nonetheless, they have two capable candidates that are both worth the risk. Kelly’s first NFL coaching job didn’t go so hot, but that doesn’t mean a change of location wouldn’t change his success. Likewise, Shanahan would instantly improve the team by just being the head coach given his past NFL coaching experience.