Geep Chryst Expected to Be 49ers OC: Latest Reports and Reaction

After a long and exhaustive search, it appears the San Francisco 49ers have found an offensive coordinator in Geep Chryst. 

According to NFL Network's Albert Breer, Chryst is in line to take over the offense from previous coordinator Greg Roman, who is now with the Buffalo Bills:

Chryst is familiar with the 49ers and quarterback Colin Kaepernick, having spent the past four seasons as the team's quarterback coach. He's also one of the few remnants from the Jim Harbaugh era to survive the franchise's overhaul this offseason. 

Jason Cole of Bleacher Report reported on what he was hearing about reaction in the 49ers' locker room to the reported hire:

In 2013, David Haugh of The Chicago Tribune noted that Chryst was one of Harbaugh's closest confidants in San Francisco dating back to their days as teammates with the Bears:

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More than a decade later, in 2011, when Harbaugh formed his first NFL coaching staff, he plucked Chryst away from another ex-Bear, Panthers coach Ron Rivera, after Chryst's fifth season in Carolina.

Whether it was steadying Alex Smith or developing Colin Kaepernick, Harbaugh needed somebody he knew from experience a quarterback could trust.

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Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee tweeted a note about Chryst that isn't likely to win any favor in San Francisco:

The 49ers were connected to virtually every offensive mind over the last few weeks. Rob Chudzinski was the hot candidate, but he was out of the running after the Colts announced he signed a new deal to be associate head coach. 

Lane Kiffin was also named as a candidate before he agreed to stay at Alabama, per the team's Twitter account: 

Even though Chryst may not be the guy San Francisco fans wanted, his relationship with Kaepernick will likely work in his favor. There's a lot more responsibility to take on as an offensive coordinator, but everything runs through the quarterback. 

Now, the big question is if Chryst can maximize the natural ability Kaepernick has and help develop the power-running style that was a staple of this franchise before 2014.