Niner Noise
FanSided

Which NFL Head Coaches Are on the Hot Seat Down the Stretch?

By Peter Panacy

Nov 13, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly looks on during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly looks on during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly speaks to reporters following the game against the San Diego Chargers during the second half of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly speaks to reporters following the game against the San Diego Chargers during the second half of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

Chip Kelly, San Francisco 49ers

Four head coaches in as many years. That’s where the 49ers would be headed if Chip Kelly is dismissed after an abysmal year in San Francisco.

Kelly was brought in to replace one-and-done former head coach Jim Tomsula. The thought was Kelly would revamp the offense and add some spark. Perhaps he has, at least to a small extent. The Niners have the fifth-best rushing offense — a staple of a Kelly-led team.

But San Francisco still ranks at the bottom in total yards, 30th to be exact (3,096). And that number is about on pace with what we saw last year under Tomsula and Co.

Tack on the fact Kelly’s offense is dead last in average possession time per drive (2:07). The uptempo style doesn’t help, and neither does the lack of extended drives. It’s putting the Niners’ last-place defense at risk.

Eric Branch of SFGate.com reported Kelly hasn’t received any assurance from CEO Jed York he’d be the head coach of the 49ers again in 2017.

“No,” Kelly said. “We haven’t had any conversations about that at all. About anybody’s job security.”

So much for York’s earlier comments about Kelly staying put for a “long time.”

Why He Stays

A predominantly young 49ers team can’t afford a revolving door at head coach, which is exactly what would happen if Kelly is dismissed.

Kelly has made open comments about the lack of depth the team has before, which points a finger at general manager Trent Baalke. Perhaps he’ll be the guy to take the fall for what’s going on in Santa Clara. Such a move would allow Kelly to keep at it for another season at least.

Why He Goes

Blowing it up in Santa Clara might be the best thing the 49ers do this offseason. Whatever approach the Niners have been taking, since the departure of former head coach Jim Harbaugh, hasn’t worked.

Kelly’s style might work OK for a team with adequate talent. But it might not be the right approach for a developing franchise.

And it isn’t as if the numbers stand in Kelly’s favor.