Chip Kelly, for all intents and purposes, failed as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. He implemented his style and used speed, athleticism and conditioning to try and win, and it only slightly worked. Most notably, he was given control over the team's roster and basically ruined the team before a season in which the NFC East was one of the weakest divisions in football, being the only division with only one team at .500 or better. Kelly did not deliver in Philly, but it's not because of his style or the integration of the system that delivered success at Oregon, it was his own ego, stubbornness and unwillingness to adapt to the NFL game. In a situation in which Kelly is given minimal control over the personnel, his coaching style, and he himself could be successful.
Kelly's biggest problem, in all honesty, was personnel decisions. Kelly was given a good team in Philadelphia, despite them finishing 4-12 the season before he arrived. The team had talent, and Kelly's system fit a few key players. Most notably, LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles fit the running style, using quickness and elusiveness to find space, and DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin fit the wide open style of the passing game, using speed and quickness to get by cornerbacks.
Kelly should not have control over a team's players, but his system works. His offenses succeeded immensely his first two seasons at the helm. The Eagles ranked 12th in Total Offense this season, but 24th in Yards per Play. This shows his teams will get yards on offense, and this was without an O-Line or legitimate QB most of the season. Cutting down on turnovers and prolonging a few drives would help his defenses, but his system can work, and has shown results in the past.
Kelly might not get another chance in the NFL, but he can still see success in the league. The San Francisco 49ers might give him a chance to revive his own career, and Colin Kaepernick's as well. With Carlos Hyde and a few speedy receivers, it is undoubtedly possible for them to combine as a dynamic duo on the West Coast. While it might not happen, the possibility could save both of their careers.
Whether he goes to the 49ers, or any other NFL team, he can still succeed. He needs to find players that fit his system better than the ones he acquired in Philadelphia, but if he were to find players that work, he can still be a very successful NFL head coach.
