SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) – Chip Kelly can handle the chatter and criticism, from his own players and otherwise.
Moving way out West might be among the only major changes he’s planning as the new 49ers coach, with the unrepentant Kelly insisting he is perfectly content letting general manager Trent Baalke call the shots when it comes to personnel and the 53-man roster so he can focus on his job: Bringing a sixth Super Bowl trophy back to this storied franchise.
“I want to just coach football,” Kelly said Wednesday when he was formally introduced at Levi’s Stadium. “I’m hands on. I lead with my feet, not with my seat.”
And, no, he’s not ready to name Colin Kaepernick his quarterback – though Kelly likes both Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert, who ended the season as San Francisco’s starter. Both quarterbacks have stopped by team headquarters to say hello to their new coach in person.
Kaepernick is recovering from surgery on the thumb of his throwing hand to repair a torn ligament, a procedure on his left knee and an operation on his non-throwing left shoulder to fix a torn labrum. His $11.9 million 2016 contract becomes fully guaranteed for injury April 1 if he’s on the roster.