After a disastrous 2016 season, the San Francisco 49ers were looking for a new head coach for a third consecutive year.
Chip Kelly went 2-14 in his lone season as head coach, and the organization was among the bottom-feeders of the NFL.
One year earlier, the 49ers were in a similar position. After owner Jed York let Jim Harbaugh go following an 8-8 finish in 2014, he promoted Jim Tomsula to man the sidelines.
Tomsula’s reign only lasted one season as well. The 49ers went 5-11 in 2015, which prompted York and then general manager Trent Baalke to hire Kelly.