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Reports: San Francisco 49ers' Chip Kelly, Trent Baalke to be fired

By The Sports Xchange
San Francisco's head coach Chip Kelly (L) watches the action in the second quarter of the 49ers-Arizona Cardinals game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, November 13, 2016. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 23-20. Photo by Art Foxall/UPI
San Francisco's head coach Chip Kelly (L) watches the action in the second quarter of the 49ers-Arizona Cardinals game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, November 13, 2016. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 23-20. Photo by Art Foxall/UPI | License Photo

The sputtering San Francisco 49ers are expected to fire a coach after only one season for the second time in as many years.

According to multiple reports, coach Chip Kelly and general manager Trent Baalke are expected to be dismissed after the 49ers (2-13) host the Seattle Seahawks (9-5-1) on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET).

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"Meetings are expected to occur as early as postgame Sunday, and no later than Monday, to determine their ultimate fates," ESPN's Adam Schefter said. "But both Kelly and Baalke are said to know that their time in San Francisco is coming to an end."

Kelly was hired one year ago after being fired by the Philadelphia Eagles with three games left in the season.

San Francisco has been spinning since a "mutual parting" of the ways with then-coach Jim Harbaugh two years ago. Defensive line coach Jim Tomsula was elevated to the team's head coaching position, but a 5-11 season ended his one-year stay at the top.

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Kelly was quickly hired and the 49ers fell apart shortly after their season-opening 28-0 victory over Los Angeles, losing 13 straight before once again defeating the Rams.

Baalke enjoyed instant success since becoming the team's general manager as San Francisco reached the NFC Championship Game in three straight seasons and made a Super Bowl appearance before the bottom fell out. The 52-year-old Baalke reportedly feuded with Harbaugh, leading to that coaching change.

Baalke also signed off on quarterback Colin Kaepernick's six-year, $126 million contract extension in 2014. Kaepernick, however, has regressed since taking over for Alex Smith and guiding the 49ers into the Super Bowl to face the Baltimore Ravens during the 2012 season.

Should Baalke and Kelly be dismissed, the 49ers will be attempting to replace both a general manager and coach for the first time since 2005 - when they hired Scot McCloughan and Mike Nolan.

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