RWU HQ – Well, that didn’t take long.
Dual-sport athlete Jarryd Hayne has a new head coach and it could have worked out better for the former NRL star.
The San Fancisco 49ers hired former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly on Thursday.
“We are thrilled to announce Chip Kelly as the new head coach of the San Francisco 49ers,” 49ers CEO Jed York said, via 49ers.com. “Chip has a proven track record at both the college and NFL levels that speaks for itself. We believe strongly that he is the right man to get this team back to competing for championships. I look forward to watching Trent and Chip work closely to build a team that will make us all proud.”
Kelly was a candidate that I mentioned last week as the best fit for Hayne.
The former Eagles head coach is one of the most – if not the most – innovative offensive minds in the entire NFL and should have no problem carving out a role for the former rugger.
“I would like to thank Jed, (general manager) Trent (Baalke), and the York family for this tremendous opportunity to be the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers,” Kelly said. “As one of the most historic franchises in the National Football League, I realize the high standards and expectations that this position demands and I embrace the challenges ahead. My immediate focus is to build the best coaching staff possible, one that will maximize the abilities of each of our players and put us in the best position to win football games.”
The running back took to Twitter to give his take on the hire as well, stating how he was “happy” with the move.
While Hayne is more of a bruiser like Kelly’s last running back DeMarco Murray, which didn’t work out very well, the former rugger is much more elusive than the Eagles running back.
Hayne has a lot of untapped potential, and considering his only other threat for playing time is Carlos Hyde, who will be coming off an injury, he should have a good shot at some playing time as long as San Francisco doesn’t add more depth to the backfield.
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