Chip Kelly Says No Changes Planned For 49ers’ Defensive Coaching Staff

Despite some major defensive struggles in recent weeks, the San Francisco 49ers plan to make no changes to the team’s coaching staff through the team’s Week 8 bye.

Chip Kelly Says No Changes Planned For 49ers’ Defensive Coaching Staff

Head coach Chip Kelly stated this on Sunday following San Francisco’s 34-17 home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The 49ers (1-6)– who earned a 28-0 victory against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1– have lost six straight games while allowing 36.5 points per game.

Recently, the largest issues have come with the run defense, which ranked last in the NFL in yards allowed entering Week 7, and only became worse during Sunday’s loss.

Buccaneers running backs Jacquizz Rodgers and Peyton Barber recorded 238 rushing yards on 38 carries.

The Elias Sports Bureau (via ESPN Stats & Info) explained the long-standing issues with the 49ers’ run defense:

Event then, players have rushed to defend defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil.

“I love this scheme,” Pro Bowl safety Eric Reid said. “If everybody does their job, we shouldn’t get beat. But whenever there’s an explosive play, somebody is out of position. We just got to tighten up.”

O’Neil is in his first season with San Francisco after spending the previous two years as the defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns.

According to Pro-Football-Reference.com, the Browns ranked 32nd and 30th against the run in his two years in Cleveland.

Kelly also stated last week that he expects to stay with the 49ers next season.

“Unless the media has an opportunity for me somewhere,” Kelly said in jest, via SFGate.com. “I’ll always explore those opportunities.”

He added: “I’m not going anywhere.”

FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 06: Head coach Chip Kelly of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during the game between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)