Fansided

5 potential replacements for Chip Kelly in San Francisco

By John Buhler

Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly walks the sideline during the second half against Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly walks the sideline during the second half against Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 15, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Stanford Cardinal head coach David Shaw gestures from the sidelines in the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Stanford Cardinal head coach David Shaw gestures from the sidelines in the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Besides consistency and a clue about how to run a pro-style offense, San Francisco needs an adult in the coaching department. Why not target the best molder of young men in California in Stanford Cardinal head coach David Shaw?

Seriously. Shaw would be an outstanding hire for the 49ers. At his alma mater Stanford, Shaw has taken what Jim Harbaugh started in Palo Alto, improved it, and made it his own. The Cardinal play a consistent brand of football that can annually contend for Pac-12 Championships, despite the academic rigors of Stanford University.

Shaw runs a pro-style offense at Stanford and knows a ton of NFL coaches from his time as an assistant before joining Harbaugh’s staff with the San Diego Toreros. No doubt that Shaw can build a strong offense with the 49ers. He also would have a two-year advantage in drafting personnel. Shaw knows all the top college players that will be draft eligible in 2017 and 2018 from his time leading Stanford.

The only holdup in getting Shaw to leave college and go pro is that Stanford might be the better job Shaw could stay on the Farm as long as he likes. York pulled the plug on his coach the last three seasons. If York had it together, Shaw would be the perfect head coaching candidate for the 49ers. This is why you don’t fire your head coach after one season. Candidates like Shaw will more than likely turn the offer or interview down.