SANTA CLARA – The arrival of Chip Kelly as coach signaled the stoppage of one of football’s longest traditions with the 49ers.
Kelly sees no benefit in having his offense convene in a circle after every play to allow the quarterback to relay the play call to his 10 teammates. Instead, the players look to the sideline, where assistants Mick Lombardi and Crowley Hanlon signal in the plays.
When the 49ers wrap up the regular season on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium, the game will feature two coaches with entirely different views of the value of the huddle.