Continuing the discussion below. Yes, the 2023 TEAM was better than the 2018 team. That's true. Now, get past that for a moment and look at whether the PROGRAM actually IMPROVED under Chip.
When I think of whether the *program improved* under Chip, I think of where it was when he got it vs. where it is when he left it. I do not think he is leaving the program in any better shape than Mora did. Both of their last teams went 4-5 in conference. Both turned over a team that figured/s to struggle in the new coach's first year. Ask yourself: Do you expect big things from the team next year?
Why do you think Chip left all that money on the table at UCLA, and for a lesser position? Because he knew we are in for it next year. That's the program he left Foster.
Also, it was hard for Mora to improve the program the same way Chip did, having started with 9, 10, and 10 win seasons. Not a lot of room to grow unless you're going all the way.
Chip tore down the roster (excessively, in the view of many including myself) and threw away the first two years, so it was not exactly hard to show improvement from 3 and 4 win seasons.
Also, Mora raised expectations, got the Wasserman Center built, and raised the profile of the job to the extent that we could hire the hottest coach on the market that year. Chip left us in a spot where many fans have abandoned the program and we had to hire our RB coach on the cheap.
Is the program better today that it was the day Chip Kelly was hired? No.