Some of the sheen has been rubbed off of former Oregon coach Chip Kelly's "genius" trophy.
You know, the one prematurely awarded to anyone who wins anything in sports.
Kelly received his for his part in the evolution of the Ducks' "blur offense," which took the no-huddle concept to previously unheard of levels in terms of pace and production.
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His first attempt to recreate that style in the NFL ended with him being fired last month by the Philadelphia Eagles after three seasons (7-9 last year).
Just like that, Kelly went from genius and innovator to unemployed.
But like with most "geniuses," Kelly has been granted a second chance to flex his brainpower. That opportunity comes from the San Francisco 49ers, who on Wednesday introduced him as their new head coach after passing on two men with Super Bowl championships on their résumé, Mike Shanahan and Tom Coughlin.
Not bad for a coach some labeled as "toxic" just a week ago.
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"I'm not governed by the fear of what other people say," Kelly told reporters on Wednesday during his introductory press conference.
That's good because critics have been saying a lot, most of it negative.
Be that as it may, Kelly deserves another shot. We still don't know for sure if Kelly's fast-paced style of offense will work in the NFL. There's evidence that it could. There's also evidence that it won't. Chances are, all it will take is the right situation, a good quarterback and time to see his plan all the way through, an opportunity Philadelphia didn't afford him.
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