INDIANAPOLIS — Chip Kelly's innovative and high-paced spread offense took the college football world by storm when he was the head coach of the Oregon Ducks, ultimately helping him land an NFL job with the Philadelphia Eagles.
After three seasons and a 27-21 record, however, Kelly was relieved of his duties in December. He is now the head man in San Francisco — a team that went 5-11 last year and finished last in the NFC West — and the man that hired him believes he has a cornerstone of his future offense in former Ohio State Buckeye Carlos Hyde.
"I think coach would tell you he’s an ideal fit for what coach wants to do," 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said Wednesday at the NFL Combine. "Very similar to what he did at Ohio State."
Hyde turned in a monster senior campaign in 2013 in Columbus, becoming the first back to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark in Urban Meyer's coaching career. He finished with 1,521 yards and 15 touchdowns in just 12 games that season, averaging a blistering 7.3 yards per carry. Hyde tallied 970 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior.
The 49ers selected Hyde with the 57th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He rushed for 333 yards and four scores in 14 games as a rookie and another 470 yards and three touchdowns in seven games last season before shutting it down due to a foot injury.
Baalke said his lead back on the mend.
"It’s doing good," Baalke said of the foot injury. "I actually talked to him a few days ago. Frank Gore and him were working out in Miami together. It’s coming. He’s not game ready yet by any stretch but indications are he’s healing nicely and we look forward to having him full speed as soon as possible."
Kelly isn't scheduled to speak to the media at the NFL Combine, but it is clear Baalke is looking forward to what he can do with Hyde's skill set.
"Big back that runs with power, runs with a little anger," Baalke said. "How can you not like that?"
