Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Jeremy Lin Continues Rampage, New York Wins On Road

RIP Monte Clark

AKA the guy Joe Thomas fired. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it eventually led to the hiring of Bill Walsh but for a couple years Niners fans were truly in hell. Clark was a highly-touted assistant with the Dolphins and was hired by the 49ers to be their head coach in 1976, returning home to the organization for whom he had started his NFL career as a defensive tackle.

 

He went on to take a team that wasn't all that talented (a lot of older guys from the Nolan era, some younger guys who would only blossom in the Walsh era) to an 8-6 record, the first winning season since 1972. They'd actually started the season 6-1 and three losses by a combined 11 points kept them from the playoffs. At the end of the season Eddie D. bought the team and bought in Joe Thomas as GM. Clark, who had previously been the GM and had known Thomas's insanity from Thomas's period at the Dolphins, wanted no part of the ordeal and demanded that either Thomas go or he go. Thomas stayed and so he left.

National Football Post article

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

Comment 4 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

.

Context, people. More context is good. Less context is bad. If you're willing to be reductive, then you're willing to be wrong.

by howtheyscored on Sep 17, 2009 11:46 AM PDT reply actions  

Monte and Bill Walsh

Monte was also a close friend of Bill Walsh’s; I believe he coached for Bill during his return to Stanford in the early ‘90s. There’s a picture of Clark and Walsh embracing after the Lions’ tough loss to the Niners in the ’83 division round playoff.

by arnec on Sep 17, 2009 12:01 PM PDT reply actions  

Monte built a great D

Never got the credit he deserved cuz Joe Thomas is a douche. Thoughts go out to his family.

"Bar None!" - William Floyd

by maveric_87 on Sep 18, 2009 4:56 PM PDT reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Media Requests please email ninersnation@gmail.com

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Ohmygoshilovemiguelxd-1_small
What the 49ers Should Do This Offseason
Frog_small
Official Draft NN Draft Thread

Recent FanPosts

Small
On Dashon Goldson
Images_small
Official Community Thread [2/9/2012] I hate pet peeves
Small
We didn't suck, so we don't need Luck.
Small
Have not heard this QB scenario
Small
49ers Season in a nutshell
Riceprofile_small
Where is the faith in Chilo Rachal?
Small
If Peyton Manning is a free agent, do the 49ers go after him?
Small
Potential QB Draft Targets

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >


Head Ball Coach

Dave_small David Fucillo

Howtheyscoredcat_small howtheyscored

313483_2054510893373_1562580382_31984672_1965025_n_small James Brady

Coordinator

Pirates_small smileyman

Bowman_avi_sm_small Tre9er

Assistant Coach

Pixies_logo_small (Florida) Danny Tuccitto

Memento-lies_small urnext

Me_on_beach_small WesHanson

P_willy_america_small Dylan DeSimone

Officiating Crew

Jackalope_card_small wjackalope

These3words_small these3words

San-francisco-49ers-helmet-logo-©photofile_small LondonNiner

Joe_and_bill_small twolfe2

Images_small mcwagner

Thecatch3_small mikeinsp