Much like Aurora Borealis, sailing stones or other naturally recurring phenomena, 49ers head coach Chip Kelly finds himself on a yearly basis unconsciously denying rumors that he will return to coach in college.
This year's version occurred Monday. Over the weekend it was reported that Kelly intended to stay in the pros.
"It's always been accurate," Kelly said when asked if the report about his intentions was true (via ESPN.com). "And I don't have any representatives that are telling anybody anything. I haven't talked to a college since I've been in the NFL and that's not my goal. My goal is to be the head coach of the 49ers and that's what I want to do. So, I don't know why that's a new, it surprises me that that continues to be a new story. It's been the same story since I left four years ago. So, I'm not looking to go back and that's what I've always said. So, I don't know why it's still a story."
Perhaps the rumors carry some more heft this year given San Francisco's awful record (1-7) and grim prospects for the remainder of the season. Combined with some major college openings, it's the perfect recipe for a Kelly reunion story.
However, those who know Kelly best suggest he'll try and find a way to stay in the NFL as long as possible. As a collegiate coach, Kelly had to recruit and glad hand with program donors; social aspects of the job that he strongly preferred not to do anyway.
Part of the NFL's allure for coaches is a streamlined process and a more regimented seven-day week.
We won't know until after the season if San Francisco gives him a choice. As we've noted in the past, the Kelly hire would have been a stunning one if ownership was expecting immediate results with the combination of Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick at quarterback -- a coaching death sentence that made the Browns job preferential in comparison. San Francisco has not been competitive in nearly a month, but would a general manager and owner agree to spike a second straight head coach after just one season?
Kelly certainly hopes not. Because like he's said many, many times, he likes it here in the NFL.
