Mike Martz hired as new 49ers offensive coordinator!

by David Fucillo on Jan 8, 2008 1:43 PM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

Matt Maiocco is reporting the NFL Network is the first to report Mike Martz has been hired as offensive coordinator of YOUR San Francisco 49ers. The news was apparently confirmed by the agent for Mike Martz, Bob Lamont, who also represents Mike Nolan.

Not much other info yet, but certainly big news on an otherwise slow Tuesday. If you missed it, I put up a Mike Martz scouting report yesterday. Much more to come. Feel free to throw out your thoughts on the hiring and any other info you can find out there. Consider this the Mike Martz hiring link dump for now!

EDITOR'S UPDATE - 2:08PM - Mike Nolan will have a 5pm conference call and Martz will then talk to the media at 5:30. MM is updating his blog as well. I've got class from 3-4:50 so I'll get info on Nolan/Martz appearances later tonight.

EDITOR'S UPDATE - 2:25PM - Apparently it's a 2-year contract. Also, when Nolan was defensive coordinator for the Redskins in 1997 and 1998, Martz was QB coach, so the relationship goes beyond just sharing an agent. Thanks to MM for those details.

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Wow

That was quick. Martz must be fantastic at interviewing.

Fooch, you might want to change the tag in the upper left of the page.

We are not who I thought we were.

by marcello on Jan 8, 2008 2:02 PM PST reply actions

Ah.....WTF

I didn't see this coming. His true "genius" as a offensive coordinator will be put to the test with this offensive unit as it resembles nothing of the Rams or Lions units he's coached. Also, we better sign Hill now as even if Smith is named the starter he'll probably be broken by week 6.

*This is just my initial reaction; I might most a more serious response later.

by methodrampage on Jan 8, 2008 2:05 PM PST reply actions

My biggest concern

I agree with you regarding Hill, my biggest concern now is the health of our QB's. Nolan seems to value the OL, so maybe he'll force the issue of better protection. We'll see...

We are not who I thought we were.

by marcello on Jan 8, 2008 2:20 PM PST up reply actions

Hooray!

Now I can sleep easy tonight. Okay so maybe it's not that important. But I am happy that they got something done with a guy that has proven himself in the NFL. Maybe Martz's hiring will solve some of the trust issues that guys like Gore brought up mid season. Not only that but this move could attract some key pieces that the Niners need to finish the puzzle.

Is a suit still considered a suit if it is made by Reebok?

by jfainsf49 on Jan 8, 2008 2:06 PM PST reply actions

well....

I still think Cameron or Gailey would have been a better fit, but MM makes it sound like Cameron probably wasn't available to us. I don't know. Martz's offense doesn't fit with what pieces we have, and his aggressive style doesn't fit with the coaching style we've had here. But maybe Nolan wants a guy with a lot of experience, including HC experience, to lead the offense so he can focus on the team as a whole and hopefully get better at game management. Maybe he wants to let the offense go a bit more and be more aggressive and that's why he chose Martz. I don't really know. All I know is this: the QBs gonna take a lot of sacks, the offense won't be so damn conservative, and we'd better sign and or draft about 5 WRs.

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Jan 8, 2008 2:27 PM PST reply actions

I disagree...

I think Martz offense will fit perfectly with what pieces we have.

First of all, Martz is inheriting an elite RB. So he doesn't have to go through the process of developing one. And in the case of Frank Gore, Martz can easily utilize him out of the passing game.

Second, we desperately needed a passing attack to compliment our running game and to take our offense to the next level. I actually think Hill will be more suitable as a QB for Martz, because of his quick progressions and decisiveness. Maybe Martz will actually get VD out on some more deadly routes instead of the typical TE button-hook or curl routes.

To me, this is a great day for Niners fans because we have taken one significant step towards having a complete team in the near future.

Between FA and the draft, we need a DE, a couple O-Linemen, a WR and another CB. I would also love to see us nab Briggs, but as long as we took care of the other more pertinent needs.

by BawLa on Jan 8, 2008 2:48 PM PST up reply actions

Right on BawLa

Is a suit still considered a suit if it is made by Reebok?

by jfainsf49 on Jan 8, 2008 2:50 PM PST up reply actions

I have to side with wjackalope...

Martz isn't the right fit at all. Cameron would have brought in an attack which highlighted two of the Niners biggest assets, Gore and V. Davis. Cameron made Ronnie Brown and then Jesse Chatman look like studs with no other talent around them at all. Gore is going to be pissed and this will be the last huge mistake that Nolan makes.

I like Martz offense but the Niners don't have the WR's to make this work, the free-agent crop is week and the draft won't help either. Unless the new GM makes a play for Ocho Cinco or some other big time talent, this is going to be a disaster.

by jjham15 @ Niners Nation on Jan 8, 2008 4:02 PM PST up reply actions

WRs

Remember, Martz turned Mike Furrey (a former safety) into a big time reception receiver for a season.

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by David Fucillo on Jan 8, 2008 4:08 PM PST up reply actions

Furrey

Furrey put up 1000+ receiving in '06 and still outproduced Battle and Jackson in '07.

Obviously Martz is going to have to adapt his offense to fit the Niners personnel. So we'll really find out if Martz is a really an offensive mad genius or if he's just a one trick pony.

by methodrampage on Jan 8, 2008 6:33 PM PST up reply actions

We have some WRs

Come on now, I know we didn't get the greatest output from the current crop of receivers but I have to believe that Martz will use them better. And by "them" I mean Jackson, Battle, Lelie, Hill, Davis even though he is a TE and like BawLa mentioned we got Gore coming out of the backfield.

Is a suit still considered a suit if it is made by Reebok?

by jfainsf49 on Jan 8, 2008 2:53 PM PST up reply actions

Vernon Davis

I'll be interested to see how Martz chooses to utilize Davis.

by methodrampage on Jan 8, 2008 2:33 PM PST reply actions

The Greatest Show on Grass

I like being on grass. But then again, I like being out of jail.

I am bursting fellas!!!

Bring on the big free agent signings.

I gotta say that Nolan just scored some major brownie points with me. And at this point he may no longer be in my dog house.

Is a suit still considered a suit if it is made by Reebok?

by jfainsf49 on Jan 8, 2008 2:42 PM PST reply actions

not too shabby

I wish Nolan would have waited until he interviewed Cameron, though, just to see what he had to say, instead of going with the fall-back on an old acquaintance angle.

Also, with the McCloughan spiel last week about the team not being interested in Martz, this hiring could be a stick his eye by Nolan, though, in reality, Martz was the frontrunner as soon as the Lions fired him.

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Jan 8, 2008 2:56 PM PST reply actions

Martz...

While I'm concerned about Mike Martz history of not leaving in enough blockers, here are a few things I definitely like about the hire...

The guy has a ring on his finger and has gotten it done in this league before as both OC and head coach. In terms of players like Gore having confidence in him, there's no doubt they'll respect him unlike with Jim Hostler. That's important.
You can't really hold his troubles as Lion's OC against him, because just about everyone goes into Detroit and can't quite make things work (Mooch, Garcia, and a long list of guys who have had success elsewhere).
Maybe we need someone as aggressive as Martz to combat Nolan's conservative methods. At the very least, we can bet the 49er's offense won't be as boring. That's for sure.

Honestly, while I do have issues with Martz, I'm still excited by us getting him, particularly if we can sign a big-name wide receiver (who could make Jackson and Battle both better).

by jaytierney on Jan 8, 2008 3:09 PM PST reply actions

Martz

Well I'm a little upset about this but that's o.k. It will be very interesting, because Martz has never had an offense this bad. He must throw away his air-it-out style because we wouldn't hire him if he doesn't want to give the ball to our best player. He should also try, less of a Run and Gun style and more of a balance run game. Use Gore, use play action and use vernon davis.

by montasmob69 on Jan 8, 2008 3:28 PM PST reply actions

As much as I've canned Martz

The offense should be much, much improved next year based on nothing more than his general competence. He doesn't really seem to fit, but this creates some extra intrigue around QB, as Hill appears to be better suited on the surface for Martz's systems. It also creates some intrigue with VD, and I think it creates some intrigue for the upcoming draft. Anybody else think this increases our chances of going offense in the first round?

I'm not thrilled with Martz because I'm not sure he was even the second best option, but I'd be very surprised if the hiring ended up actually being bad.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Jan 8, 2008 3:40 PM PST reply actions

What's the difference?

Between our 1st round pick and our 2nd round pick?

by methodrampage on Jan 8, 2008 3:56 PM PST up reply actions

Maybe 10 picks or so?

But I've only heard the names of five or six players that us fans are hoping to see around for that first round pick. It could be an important difference when we're talking about that one true NT versus, say, some OL (for some reason I can't remember anybody's names right now except for Mario Manningham. My brain keeps going "Manningham... Manningham..." and it's completely blocking the rest of my recall functions)

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Jan 8, 2008 4:11 PM PST up reply actions

Do I remember this correctly?

IIRC, one of the things that Martz's offense is known for is very quick, if non-existent, progressions. So instead of holding onto the ball too long, you've got like one or two reads, and throw the ball. Is that right? If so, this might just be ideal for Alex Smith.

Thinking of giving up sports and taking up heavy drinking.

by Drunken Miller on Jan 8, 2008 3:54 PM PST reply actions

Simply put

Martz = develops pass happy system
Al Smith = comes from pass happy system in Utah

Will it work?

Merton Hanks, 'nuff said.

by jtoj on Jan 8, 2008 3:58 PM PST reply actions

Yeah

just the fact that he is familiar with the NFC West gives me confidence

by PHUT! on Jan 8, 2008 4:01 PM PST reply actions

Makes no sense

I do not understand why we were in such a hurry to hire Martz without even interviewing Camron. I mean the guy ran an offense very similar to Norv Turner's and his players in SD were similar with our strengths in Gore and Davis. I just don't understand why Martz a guy whose system is based on precise qb and wr play was thought to be a good fit with the pieces we have. I hope it works out but I just do not see the logic in this hire.

by billwalsh4ever on Jan 8, 2008 4:40 PM PST reply actions

+1

And Cameron's system isn't very similar Norv Turner's system, it is exactly Norv Turner's system. Cameron was Norv's QB coach in Washington and adopted his system. That's why Cameron was hired as to replace Norv as the Chargers' OC when Norv left in 2001 -- to keep the same system in place.

"You gotta bring ass, to get ass." --EDDIE DeBARTOLO JR.

by Josh from Hollywood on Jan 8, 2008 5:12 PM PST up reply actions

Oh well

My problems with Martz and preference for Cameron aside, this hire is without question a huge upgrade. As Maiocco states in his blog, Niner fans should be excited because the offense will in all likelihood not be boring next year, and Cameron was no sure thing even if they did want him.

My concerns are the same as others have stated above -- "No quality WR's", "QB's who may or may not fit his system", and of course, "Why not at least bring in Cameron for an interview?" -- but in my mind, the biggest question it raises has nothing to do with the offense: How can Nolan interview and hire this guy within a week of McCloughan saying the team wasn't even interested in him? Is this simply a matter of miscommunication, or holding cards close to the vest, or is this the first real public rift between the men? And if it's the latter, is Mike Nolan now one more bad offensive season away from getting canned by a guy he himself hired?

"You gotta bring ass, to get ass." --EDDIE DeBARTOLO JR.

by Josh from Hollywood on Jan 8, 2008 5:21 PM PST reply actions

Hey Why Not...

Honestly I am pretty stoked over the hiring of Mike Martz. To me this is a huge move in the right direction and a tremendous upgrade from the previous coordinators we have had in here. Sure I would have liked to see Cameron get interviewed, but hey, Martz is a proven winner and with an offense with potential like ours i believe the sky is the limit. If i can remember right, i don't believe many people were talking about the rams prior to the 1999 season, being led by trent green, (of course then being taken over by wonderboy Kurt Warner). But look what happened with that offense. Martz took a versatile back in faulk and turned him into the most feared back across the nfl. He also took a roookie WR and turned him into the pro bowler we know as Torry Holt. Martz isnt just the pass happy coach he has been made out to be in the past two years, he is an agressive offensive mastermind that works with what he gets, and without ever having the privlege to work with a great qb, he has done pretty well running offenses. So hey Why Not.

by fn2123 on Jan 8, 2008 5:29 PM PST reply actions

i like it

if he can get our offense good enough to coke away a playoff appearance, it'll be an improvement

by Vote4Gore on Jan 8, 2008 5:59 PM PST reply actions

One thing about stats

When Matt Maioco provided those stat progressions for Martz (which were great), the one misleading aspect was how low Martz' teams ranked in rushing. I mean, technically those numbers were correct, but Martz would always run a lot of short pass plays to his running backs that were basically the same as a running play but technically were not. Just something to keep in mind. Honestly, I think Frank Gore is going to be very happy with the choice.

by jaytierney on Jan 8, 2008 6:14 PM PST reply actions

Most questions answered here

http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=727976

I think most peoples questions are answered in that interview. Highlights:

Martz says Gore to be centerpiece

Nolan says, when McCloughan said "Martz not a candidate" he was misinterpreted, he meant he didn't think Martz would be interested

Martz thinks both Smith and Hill would be good QB's

Martz says personnel is mostly already there, it just needs to come together

We are not who I thought we were.

by marcello on Jan 8, 2008 6:38 PM PST reply actions

Draft

It's simple. Okam in the first. Trade Oak or KC a 08 third round + a 09 second round pick for their second round pick. Then pick up a DE and WR with those two picks. Then with a few FA signings, we are looking just fine.

by montasmob69 on Jan 8, 2008 7:48 PM PST reply actions

draft and free agency import

I really believe that this pick is the largest gamble of the decade for the 49ers. If it works, Mike nolan will be around a few years with a productive offense and possibly getting to the playoffs for awhile. Who knows, this could be a super bowl team. But if this decision fails, then the 49ers will wonder why they were so stupid. I do believe that this move isn't over. The draft and free agency will dictate this decision, since we need to beef up the DL and WR a bit. I do love the concept of drafting a good physical WR and letting Martz turn him into the next Tory Holt (fingers crossed).

by Gailikk on Jan 9, 2008 7:20 AM PST reply actions