SANTA CLARA, Calif. _ The reports and rumors probably aren't going away, though Chip Kelly did his best to tamp it down Monday, when I asked him for more clarity about his interest _ or lack of it _ in returning to the college ranks in the middle of his desolate debut 49ers season.
The most recent report came last weekend from ESPN's Adam Schefter, who said that Kelly's representatives are telling interested colleges that he intends to stay in the NFL and stick it out with the 49ers.
I mostly believe all of that _ I believe Kelly likes the NFL, that he left Oregon in 2013 for the Eagles because he wanted to win in the NFL and that he took the 49ers job for the same reason.
I also definitely believe that Kelly doesn't necessarily want to go through the ugliness of a one-and-done tenure on any team.
But I wanted to ask him the questions to see what he'd say, and also ask him about inviting Oregon mega-booster Phil Knight to the 49ers sidelines for a recent game.
Our give-and-take on the NFL/college thing was pretty interesting, and you can make your own decision about what it means for Kelly's continued or prolonged employment with the 49ers.
And I also believe that the 1-7 record affects many things, definitely including the plans of owner Jed York and/or GM Trent Baalke.
Baalke might try to save his job by going after Kelly, or he might bond with Kelly to try to keep both their jobs, or York could choose one or the other as a sacrificial lamb no matter what their relationship is.
Or Kelly could just get weary of the whole shaky enterprise on his own. He also hasn't quite coached this 49ers team to greatness, goodness or even mediocrity so far this season.
