San Francisco 49ers

NFL Rumor Mill: Will Head Coach Chip Kelly Leave the 49ers for an NCAA Job in 2017?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The 1-5 San Francisco 49ers and head coach Chip Kelly don’t appear to be making any headway in 2016, which is going to prompt the rumor mill regarding whether he’ll leave the NFL for another NCAA collegiate job next year.

Brace yourselves, San Francisco 49ers fans. The franchise may, yet again, be on the hunt for another head coach this upcoming offseason.

Head coach Chip Kelly is having a miserable time with this current crop of Niners. The team stands at 1-5, and the offense Kelly runs ranks dead last in all-purpose yards (1,757) and net passing yards (1,017).

San Francisco is gaining a mere 4.6 yards per play, also last in the NFL, and there are no signs things will get better anytime soon.

The better question is why Kelly would want to stay.

CBS Sports Jason La Canfora dished out an article speculating why Kelly would leave his current gig with the 49ers after a forgettable season. While much of the assessment is conjecture, and rumor at best, La Canfora did source some credible information:

Kelly’s offense continues to be ridiculed by his peers in the NFL, and several coaches I spoke to expect him to hit the eject seat button after this season and return to college before his stock continues to drop given the horrible roster he has in San Francisco.

The head coach’s reputation has been under fire ever since his 2015 campaign with the Philadelphia Eagles, which resulted in his termination.

But Kelly was supposed to reinvigorate San Francisco. At least offensively.

Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly watches the game against the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Texans won 24-13. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

The problem is we simply haven’t seen it. And while the Niners roster is about as terrible as it gets, one has to wonder what Kelly thinks about his future.

Numerous NCAA head coaching positions could be available in 2017. La Canfora lists LSU, Oregon, Texas and Penn State as possible destinations.

And one has to figure UofO would be a mutual favorite.