Chip Kelly and Arik Armstead will reunite when the San Francisco 49ers begins training sessions in the spring. Kelly recruited Armstead to Oregon and the defensive end played one season under Kelly with the Ducks.
Kelly was accused of using racist policies when it came to personnel decisions during his time as coach the Philadelphia Eagles. Armstead disagreed and said no 49ers player has raised the subject.
"I would tell them they're crazy for thinking that," Armstead told the Sacramento Bee. "I think that was more about his philosophy and not everyone agreeing with his way of doing things."
Former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy said Kelly "got rid all the good black players" after he was traded to Buffalo in March. Kelly also cut wide receiver DeSean Jackson and linebacker Trent Cole while allowing wide receiver Jeremy Maclin to walk in free agency during his tenure. Those players are black. However, Kelly also cut offensive linemen Evan Mathis and Todd Herremans, who are white.
Armstead said he thinks Kelly's decisions were based on finding players who fit his style of play and were willing to buy into his philosophy.
"He has his way of thinking and his way of coaching," Armstead said. "If you don't buy into that, then I don't think he really wants you to be a part of what they're doing. That's where that stems from."
Armstead was the 49ers first-round pick (17th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-6 former Duck appeared in all 16 games (one start) and finished with 19 tackles and two sacks during the season.
Armstead said one thing that drew him to Oregon was Kelly's honesty.
"He told me during my home visit there was a possibility he might leave," Armstead said. "I appreciated that honesty, him not lying to me and saying, 'Yeah, I'm going to be here the whole time you're here, blah, blah, blah.' "
Kelly left the following season to coach the Eagles. He was fired by the Eagles in December and hired by the 49ers Jan. 14.
-- Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold