49ers hire Chip Kelly as new coach

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Chip Kelly is the offensive-minded, experienced head coach the San Francisco 49ers have long sought, and now he needs to win – right away.

The 49ers hired the former Eagles coach today as their new coach, finding the man CEO Jed York is counting on to turn things around for his once-proud franchise.

Kelly faces the daunting challenge of transforming the Niners into an immediate contender again.

York announced the hiring of Kelly as the franchise's 20th head coach on Twitter and so did the team on its account.

"After a thorough search, Trent & I are thrilled to announce Chip Kelly as the new #HeadCoach of the @49ers," York wrote, referring to general manager Trent Baalke.

Kelly, who had personnel control with the Eagles and frustrated some of his players, won't be introduced in a news conference until next week based on schedules.

He replaces fired coach Jim Tomsula, promoted from his defensive line duties last January to succeed Jim Harbaugh before going 5-11 – a move Baalke has said earlier this month wound up to be the wrong one, in hindsight.

Kelly emerged as the favorite among several candidates with experience, including former Raiders, Broncos and Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, ex-Giants coach Tom Coughlin and former Raiders coach Hue Jackson, who was hired Wednesday to coach the Cleveland Browns.