San Francisco 49ers coach Chip Kelly reiterated his stance Wednesday that he has no interest in returning to the college game. Not even for the job that vaulted him into the NFL in the first place. Oregon fired coach Mark Helfrich, who was Kelly's offensive coordinator at the school, on Tuesday, but Kelly said he hasn't spoken with any school officials about the opening.
"I have not talked to anyone at Oregon other than Mark Helfrich," Kelly said.
And to the direct question of whether there's a chance he'll be Oregon's next coach, Kelly was even more direct: "No."
Oregon's decision will no doubt conspire with Kelly's 1-10 record with the 49ers this season to fuel speculation about a potential return to UO, despite his denial of interest. Now in his second NFL coaching job after three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, Kelly is facing a major rebuilding job for 2017.
For now, 49ers general manager Trent Baalke is taking the blame for the team's struggles.
Kelly took the Oregon program to unprecedented success from 2009-2012, compiling a 46-7 record with three consecutive Pac-12 titles.
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