San Francisco 49ers: Jed York has No Clue Running a Team

A tumultuous San Francisco 49ers season resulted in the firings of head coach Chip Kelly and general manager Trent Baalke. The firings once again put the storied franchise back at square one for next season.

Do not blame Chip Kelly for the 2-14 season in what turned out to be his only season as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Expectations were low before the season began as San Francisco was rebuilding in an effort to return to glory once again. Kelly’s top priority was to reinvigorate a struggling offense after Jim Tomsula’s one-year occupancy as head coach. Unfortunately, Kelly was never given the personnel from the start.

No doubt, Jed York and Trent Baalke are to blame for what took place this season. Instead of reloading the team, Kelly got a thin depth chart. Baalke chose to be a college student on a budget and not spend the money. San Francisco was well below the salary cap and just above the league minimum salary cap.

The dismissal of Kelly only asserts the poor management witnessed under York. However, the worst decision made perhaps by an owner in NFL history already happened. Jim Harbaugh was the answer to multiple Super Bowls. Instead, he kept Baalke and parted ways with Harbaugh and has sent the franchise into a downward spiral.

Perhaps York should have dismissed Kelly before the season ended so he could have possibly returned to Oregon. It was unlikely Kelly would have made a return to Eugene and pursue another NFL opportunity. The Ducks will be all right with Willie Taggart in getting the football program back on track. As for Kelly, he will now be looking for a new coaching gig.

Kelly did not have the ideal quarterback to run his system. Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick did their best, but with very few weapons at their disposal, results did not come. However, the dagger was thrown into the team when NaVorro Bowman went down with an injury on defense. The heart of the 49ers’ defense did not return for the season which factored into the beginning of a downward trend.

49ers’ fans may feel some satisfaction in beating Los Angeles in both meetings, but will overall feel dissatisfied. Levi’s Stadium opened with fanfare and a new beginning for the five-time Super Bowl champions. Under Harbaugh, the 49ers appeared destined to win another championship. Instead, the faithful had little to cheer with seasons of 8-8, 4-12, and 2-14.

Fans deserved better. A brand-new stadium and excellent facilities should result in a championship caliber team each season. Instead, ownership cannot settle on a coach, causing a turbulent start to the 49ers era at Levi’s.

And all the blame should be pointed to York, who simply just does not get the point of being an NFL owner. Had he focused only on the business side of operations, Harbaugh could still be coaching. Instead, he continues to tarnish the franchise. A sure bet is choosing a head coach before fixing the turf at Levi’s.

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Good luck to York in finding the next head coach. Slim pickings are in store for a team that finished last in the NFC West. Chances are candidates may not get enough time to make an impact. Kelly surely did not get his chance to build upon this season.

But before considering a coach, York’s priority is to hire a new general manager. Hopefully, it will be a general manager who will put York in place and make him stick to just writing the checks. The next general manager needs to hire a coach where the two will see eye-to-eye. Perhaps calling out to greats Steve Young, Joe Montana, and Jerry Rice could help in seeing better days for the 49ers at Levi’s.

Even had San Francisco defeated Seattle in the season finale, the decision was already made. Distractions will certainly be gone next season as Kaepernick hopefully does not return. Regardless of what was said, his antics were a big distraction and contributed to Kelly’s firing. Who takes over at quarterback, and how the team will look next season, remains in question.

Baalke’s dismissal was the right decision as he left Kelly hanging by providing no players to him. Kelly deserved another season to implement his plan when he was first introduced as coach.

Next: San Francisco 49ers: Chip Kelly Reported To Be Out

Tough times are ahead for the 49ers as the franchise goes back to the drawing board due to failed leadership by management. The rebuild remains at a standstill despite the talented players drafted in the previous two drafts. Until management decides to stay out of what goes on the field, the reset button will keep on getting pressed.