Chip Kelly: ‘I’m not governed by the fear of what other people say’
New San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly said in his introductory press conference Wednesday that he’s “not governed by the fear of what other people say.”
Kelly, who was the Eagles’ head coach last season, was hired by the 49ers on Jan. 14 after being fired by Philadelphia before its final game of the season.
“I walked to work this morning,” Kelly said Wednesday.“ You smell the air around here and you get smarter. Hopefully that will help us get a couple more W’s.”
Kelly, who also made personnel decisions for the Eagles, will only be responsible for coaching with the 49ers, as Trent Baalke will remain the team’s general manager.
In the news conference, Baalke called Kelly “a well-rounded, highly innovative coach with a track record of success,” while also identifying him as “a strong leader of men.”
• KING: The six hours that swung the NFL’s battle for L.A.
The Eagles job was Kelly’s first in the NFL. He initially rose to prominence as the head coach of the Oregon Ducks, with whom he compiled a 44–5 record and earned a reputation as an offensive innovator.
