Chip Kelly Says He's Not Planning Any Changes to 49ers' Defensive Coaching Staff

Despite some major struggles on the defensive side of the ball in recent weeks, the San Francisco 49ers plan to keep their coaching staff intact through the team's Week 8 bye.

Head coach Chip Kelly said Sunday he isn't planning on making any changes, according to Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area.

The 49ers—who earned a 28-0 shutout win against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1—have lost six games in a row while allowing 36.5 points per game. Five of their last six opponents have scored more than 30 points.

Lately, the biggest issues have come with the run defense, which ranked dead last in the NFL in yards allowed coming into Week 7 and only got worse during Sunday's 34-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tampa Bay running backs Jacquizz Rodgers and Peyton Barber recorded 238 rushing yards on 38 carries.

The Elias Sports Bureau (via ESPN Stats & Info) noted the historical issues with San Francisco's run defense:

Despite the unit's struggles, players have come to the defense of defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil.

"I love this scheme," Pro Bowl safety Eric Reid said, per Maiocco. "If everybody does their job, we shouldn’t get beat. But whenever there’s an explosive play, somebody is out of position. We just got to tighten up."

O'Neil is in his first year with the 49ers after spending the previous two seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns. According to Pro-Football-Reference.com, the Browns ranked 32nd and 30th against the run in his two years in Cleveland.

Even if the team doesn't plan to shake up its coaching staff, San Francisco will have to make some changes if it hopes to turn its season around.