Chip Kelly's All-Time Ranking Among 49ers Head Coaches

Chip Kelly’s All-Time Ranking Among San Francisco 49ers Head Coaches

January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chip Kelly (left) and San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke (right) address the media in a press conference after naming Kelly as the new head coach for the 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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There was a time when Eddie DeBartolo made poor decisions! Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

One-Season Wonder

Monte Clark (1976)

Monte Clark lasted just one season as the 49ers’ head coach, but it was rather successful, ending with an 8-6 record. Considering the team had been 5-9 the year before, a three-game improvement was definitely something to celebrate. Unfortunately, the team was then sold to Eddie DeBartolo, who brought with him general manager Joe Thomas, the worst GM in franchise history. Clark had worked with Thomas in the past, and wanted no part of him, refusing to give up personnel duties, and he was therefore fired after one season. The 49ers then had losing seasons for four straight years, involving four different head coaches, so perhaps Clark had the last laugh.

The equivalent of an 8-6 season in 2016 would be a 9-7 year; a game above .500. If Kelly can reach that, and doesn’t get fired next offseason, he’ll have topped what Clark did, and should rise above him in the rankings. This is the last spot for coaches with winning records; it’s all downhill from here.

Next: A Chip Off the Old Block