RWU HQ – Just when things started to seem secure for San Francisco 49ers running back Jarryd Hayne, his world got turned upside down.
Sunday night, shortly after San Francisco’s 19-16 victory over the St. Louis Rams, head coach Jim Tomsula was relieved of his duties by the organization. The move now puts Hayne and rest of the 49ers’ 53-man roster on edge.
“Jimmy has been a valuable member of the 49ers organization for the last nine years,” 49ers CEO Jed York said, via 49ers.com. “We all know he is a man of high character, and his contributions on the field and in our community have always been greatly appreciated. This entire organization is proud and grateful to have worked so closely alongside Jimmy. We all wish him and his family great success in the future.”
Hayne told the Australian media that his plan was to return back to the United States to continue his NFL, but with the change in coaching staff things get interesting.
“Obviously with a new coach on board, hopefully he wants me back and, if that’s the case, I’ll be back to Santa Clara, California,” Hayne said Wednesday, via theguardian.com. “I chased a dream and I did that and everything else I achieved was a bonus. It’s been incredible.”
However, just because there’s a change in coaching staff, that doesn’t mean things have gotten worse for the former rugger. If an innovative coach like Chip Kelly was to come in and take over, there’s a very good chance Hayne could see an expanded role in 2016.
The 49ers are scheduled with Buffalo Bills running back/assistant head coach Anthony Lynn and Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson in the near future and have been linked to big names like Kelly and Mike Shanahan.
According to various reports, Kelly has even already reached out to 49ers brass. And if you read between the lines from what York said on Monday, it sounds like Kelly could be a guy the 49ers have in mind.
“We have a clear understanding of what we want,” York said about what the team wants in their next head coach, via ESPN.com. “We want a leader. We want somebody who has a clear, strategic vision.”
For Hayne, Kelly would be the perfect fit.
The former Eagles is an extremely creative and bright football mind. It would not be hard for Hayne to carve out a role in a Chip Kelly offense.
And at the very least, Hayne should spend extra attention on his punt returning skills because there are not enough quality returners in the NFL. Hayne’s return skills alone could secure him a job in the NFL.
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