It seems that the San Francisco 49ers are doing everything under the darkness of the night these days. They won’t hold Chip Kelly’s introductory press conference until nearly a week after he was announced as the team’s head coach.
As it relates to Kelly’s staff, the team has yet to announce a single hire in the few days since he was named head coach.
Some of this changed drastically on Tuesday.
Per Pro Football Talk, San Francisco fired 10 assistant coaches. Those names include offensive coordinator Geep Chryst and defensive backs coach Tim Lewis.
Names noticeably missing from the report include running backs coach Tom Rathman, linebackers coach Jason Tarver and defensive coordinator Eric Mangini.
Kelly previously met with Mangini — a clear indication that the new head coach is at least considering keeping him around as the defensive coordinator.
San Francisco also reportedly interviewed Houston Texans linebackers coach Mike Vrabel for the defensive coordinator position. Vrabel, 40, spent 14 years in the NFL as a linebacker.
He’s been an assistant on Bill O’Brien’s staff in Houston for the past two years after serving on Urban Meyer’s staff with Ohio State from 2011-13. He is also seen as an up-and-comer in the coaching ranks.
Though, it would stand to reason that Kelly might want to bring in an experienced defensive coordinator. As an offensive mind, he’s taken a hands-off approach on the side of the ball over the years.
Also joining Chryst and Lewis on the outs in San Francisco are wide receivers coach’s Ronald Curry and Adam Henry as well as defensive line coach Scott Brown and quarterbacks coach Steve Logan.