Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/627264
ByCamInman BayAreaNewsGroup SANTA CLARA ChipKelly'shir- ing as the San Francisco 49ers coach on Thursday brought a swift reaction from one of his new players, depicting the great expectations for a newfound, up-tempo offense. "Guess I might have to start running right now to get in shape," wide receiver Torrey Smith tweeted, minutes af- ter CEO Jed York announced on Twitter the end of an 11-day coach search. Kelly, 52, became available when the Philadelphia Eagles fired him five days before their season finale, before he could complete his third season and further build off his University of Oregon dominance. The 49ers are banking that he can breathe life into a once- elite franchise that, this sea- son, scored the league's fewest points (14.9 per game) en route to a 5-11, last-place record. Kel- ly's hiring came exactly one year after their ill-fated promotion of Jim Tomsula as Jim Harbaugh's successor. "As one of the most historic franchises in the National Foot- ball League, I realize the high standards and expectations that this position demands and I em- brace the challenges ahead," Kelly said in a team-issued state- ment. The biggest challenge is de- termining his quarterback. If the 49ers hired Kelly to resur- rect Colin Kaepernick's career, no one filled in the embattled quarterback of that plan. Nei- ther Kelly nor the 49ers reached out to Kaepernick during the coach search. "If somebody's going to resur- rect Colin Kaepernick, it is going to be Chip Kelly," former 49ers quarterback Steve Young said on ESPN's NFL Live. Kaepernick is in Vail, Colo- rado, and he was having physical therapy done on his left shoulder when news broke of Kelly's hir- ing. Kaepernick, through an in- termediary, reserved comment, and he is as curious as anyone to learn whether he fits into Kel- ly's plan. Kaepernick got benched af- ter the 49ers started 2-6. Blaine Gabbert went 3-5 as his replace- ment. Added Young: "I'd love to ask Chip, 'Do you want either one of them?'" The 49ers wanted Kelly after interviewing six other known candidates, including Mike Sha- nahan, a fellow finalist who was the 49ers offensive coordinator when they last won the Super Bowl 21 years ago. Kelly's introductory press conference isn't expected until next Tuesday or Wednesday, as he compiles his staff, according to a team spokesman. "My immediate focus is to build the best coaching staff possible, one that will maximize NFL 49ersbringinKellyto takeovercoach'sjob Former Eagles coach has had success in past stops, including big years at Oregon BOBLEVERONE—THEASSOCIATEDPRESSFILE The San Francisco 49ers have hired Chip Kelly (shown here) as their new head coach. CEO Jed York announced the move on Thursday. KARL MONDON — BAY AREA NEWS GROUP FILE San Francisco 49ers Chief Executive Officer Jed York (shown here) announced Thursday that the 49ers hired Chip Kelly as their new head coach. By Jim Salter The Associated Press ST. LOUIS Rams owner Stan Kroenke and others violated Missouri law by lying about their desire to keep the NFL team in St. Louis, according to a lawsuit filed by fans that seeks class-action status and unspeci- fied damages. The suit was filed Wednes- day in St. Louis Circuit Court, one day after NFL owners voted to allow the Rams to relocate to suburban Los Angeles for next season. The suit alleges that Kroenke and chief operating officer Kevin Demoff made false and mislead- ing statements over the years in- dicating the team had no inten- tion of leaving St. Louis, violat- ing Missouri's Merchandising Practices Act. The law prohib- its false statements in the sale or advertisement of trade or com- merce. The suit claims the Rams violated the law in connection with the sale of tickets and mer- chandise. Messages seeking comment from the Rams were not re- turned. The suit was filed by James Pudlowski, Louis Cross III, Gain Henry and Steve Henry, and was the first lawsuit stemming from the Rams' departure. Among the statements cited in the lawsuit: • Demoff was asked after Kroenke's purchase of land in Inglewood about the Rams' fu- ture and said, "I expect it will be right here in St. Louis." The In- glewood site is where Kroenke plans a $1.86 billion stadium ex- pected to open in 2019. • Kroenke said in a 2010 in- terview, "It's not our desire to ever lead the charge out of St. Louis. ... I'm going to attempt to do everything I can to keep the Rams in St. Louis." "Defendants did in fact 'lead the charge' out of St. Louis, yet defendants never informed their ticket and merchandise buyers or corrected the previous state- ments," the lawsuit says. The St. Louis Regional Con- vention and Sports Complex Au- thority, which spent more than $16 million on plans for a new riverfront stadium that the NFL eventually deemed unaccept- able, could also sue. The co- chairmen of the task force that led that effort declined to spec- ulate on the possibility of legal action. NFL Rams fans sue team over move to L.A. Lawsuit alleges false statements by owner Kroenke and others HKS SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT This undated rendering provided by HKS Sports & Entertainment shows a proposed NFL football stadium in Inglewood. During an NFL owners meeting Tuesday in Houston the owners voted to allow the St. Louis Rams to move to a new stadium just outside Los Angeles. Staff Report CORNING Jake Traylor put up 12 points and hauled in 10 rebounds to lead the Corning Cardinals to a 52-39 win over the University Prep Panthers on Wednesday night, earning himself player of the game honors along the way. The Panthers kept it close in the first half, going into halftime down 22-18, but a big second half from the Cardinals sealed the win. Other team leaders included Noah Zoppi with 10 points, six re- bounds, an assist and two steals; Corey Busta with nine points, six rebounds and an assist; Calvin Ware with seven points, four re- bounds and a steal and Brendan Hoag with seven points, five re- bounds and two assists. The Cardinals (11-5) are sched- uled to host the West Valley Ea- gles (11-3) at 7:30 tonight and will travel to Yreka on Tuesday. WARRIORS 59, BIGGS 40 The Mercy Warriors boys won at home Wednesday over the Biggs Wolver- ines 59-40. Jumping ahead early, the War- riors took a 28-13 lead into half- time and didn't let up in the third period, putting up 23 points be- fore dialing it back for the final frame. Teddy Ranberg was named player of the game for the War- riors, with 25 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and four steals. Other team leaders were Jon Ross with 10 points, four re- bounds, two assists and a steal; Travis Gorden with nine points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals and Junior Grace with eight points, four rebounds, six assists and two steals. The Warriors were scheduled to face the Westwood Lumberjacks (2-7) on Thursday night. They will travel to Redding to face the Lib- BASKETBALL Traylor comes up big during Cards' win Warriors boys, girls split two games against Biggs Staff Report RED BLUFF The Red Bluff Lady Spartans took a 3-1 win over the visiting Enterprise Hornets on Monday but fell at home Wednes- day night against the Pleasant Valley Vikings 2-0. With two in the first half and an insurance goal in the second against the Hornets, the Spar- tans got goals from sophomores Karissa Mena and Maya Cruz and senior Kaylynn Gibson. Mena and Cruz each recorded an assist. Goalkeeper Grace Thornton had two saves and gave up just one goal for the win. On Wednesday night, Mena had three shots on goal and Cruz, Paula Kujanpaa and Rosy Alfaro each had two, but the Spartans couldn't find the net in the shut- out. Thornton kept the Spartans in the match with seven saves and gave up just two goals in the loss. The Spartans (8-4-3) are sched- uled to host the Paradise Bobcats (10-1-2) at 4 p.m. Wednesday. PLEASANT VALLEY 11, SPARTANS 0 The Spartans boys' team had a tough afternoon Wednesday against the powerhouse Pleasant Valley Vikings team (14-0-1), get- ting shut out 11-0 in Chico. Eight different players scored for the Vikings, but as of 5:30 p.m. Thursday no stats had been posted for the Spartans. The Spartans (5-6-1) are sched- uled to travel to face the Enter- prise Hornets (1-9-1) at 6 tonight in Redding. CARDINALS 10, CENTRAL VALLEY 1 The Corning Cardinals trav- eled to Shasta Lake City on Tues- day to take on the Central Valley Falcons and left with a 10-1 blow- out victory. No stats were posted for the SOCCER Lady Spartans beat Hornets, get edged out by PV Vikings BASKETBALL PAGE 2 SOCCER PAGE 2 49ERS PAGE 2 SPORTS » redbluffdailynews.com Friday, January 15, 2016 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS B1