49ers Special Teams watch: Interview Larry Mac Duff, possibly interested in Bobby April

by David Fucillo on Jan 8, 2010 2:10 PM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

The search for a special teams coordinator appears to be at the top of the priority list for the 49ers at this early juncture in the offseason. Since free agency and the draft are still a ways off, it makes sense to get the coaching staff rounded out sooner rather than later. Matt Barrows (and Maiocco) is reporting that the 49ers interviewed their former special teams coordinator Larry Mac Duff.

For those that don't remember, Mac Duff was the ST Coordinator from 2003-2006 before leaving the team to take a job as defensive coordinator for the Texas Longhorns. Mac Duff has 30+ years of experience as a coordinator of both defenses and special teams and would certainly be a solid option. In addition, Barrows did mention that the team was interested in former Bills coordinator Bobby April, a guy many of you have expressed interest in.

Al Everest was canned primarily due to the problems in the punt return game, so I'm certainly curious to see what kind of changes a new coordinator would bring, aside from new personnel.

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Get Bobby April

NOW

What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

by SportsChicken on Jan 8, 2010 2:48 PM PST reply actions

How was the Bill's OL coach?

Maybe bring both over.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Jan 8, 2010 2:56 PM PST up reply actions

Forester must be fired first.

What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

by SportsChicken on Jan 8, 2010 3:18 PM PST up reply actions

the linemen love Foerster

Sing is a player’s coach.

"Vernon is going to be a great tight end one day, but he's got to put the whole package together." - Thanks Sing for echoing this.

by Tre9er on Jan 9, 2010 8:51 AM PST up reply actions

I don't know why that matters.

Players love him and fans and FO should hate him, they suck.

Tribute to #44........The Elmira Express

by rlott#42 on Jan 9, 2010 9:46 PM PST up reply actions

Ray Brown

I had a comment on this in an earlier thread. Might need to bring it up for a disscusion in its own thread.

by tanos135 on Jan 8, 2010 3:41 PM PST up reply actions

What's the love for him?

The Bills only managed 6.6 yards per punt return. We averaged 4.4.

Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will get picked in the first round.

by smileyman on Jan 8, 2010 3:12 PM PST up reply actions

I have no idea...

But it’s an improvement!

Much easier, all-mighty Megatron, then attacking the real threat...The Autobots moonbase!!

by Brave Neander on Jan 8, 2010 3:14 PM PST up reply actions

Bobby April is one of the best in the business

The Bills have been terrible for a while now, but their special teams has always been great.

What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

by SportsChicken on Jan 8, 2010 3:17 PM PST up reply actions

His units have historically been very good

Wherever he coached, including trick plays and blocked kicks. No matter who it is tthe Niner return game won’t improve without a better return man but April is a guy who could make this ST unit even better in the areas they were already pretty consistent.

You gotta bring ass to get ass.

by SpurredOn on Jan 8, 2010 3:22 PM PST up reply actions

we blocked kicks too!

i stand by that it wasnt so much the coach as it was the players.. But im open minded enough to say I could be wrong

by dalien82 on Jan 8, 2010 3:40 PM PST up reply actions

I think

I’m going to miss “Brick” (Jeff Ulbrich) the most. He and Robinson were always top of the tackle lists for STs. Let’s hope some one steps up and fills that role.

by tanos135 on Jan 8, 2010 3:44 PM PST reply actions

We have McKillop

2010 potential SIGS:

We got Eric Berry, We got Eric Berry, We got Eric Berry, We got Eric Berry,

Scott Mc has struck again WTF!!

OMG BPA over BTackleA?

That was a Singletary pick...........geez

(site decorum)(site decorum)(site decorum)(site decorum) we need a new GM

Not great but I can live with it!!

Probably didn't miss anything.......................-2010 B Parcells

by rlott#42 on Jan 8, 2010 9:34 PM PST up reply actions

Eh

What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

by SportsChicken on Jan 8, 2010 10:35 PM PST up reply actions

good enough

Tribute to #44........The Elmira Express

by rlott#42 on Jan 9, 2010 9:46 PM PST up reply actions

I think it all boils down to the fact that Sing does not trust or does not mesh and work well with his just fired ST’s coach,like he didn’t mesh well with Martz.
McDuff seems like another Jimmy Raye,so I hope Sing doesn’t hire him JUST because they get along well and are friends.
It would be great if they hire April and then hire Ulbrich as an assistant ST’s coach.

by TIM___ on Jan 8, 2010 4:17 PM PST reply actions

April is an old fart too

Of course, April would actually be an improvement over Everest….

Ulbrich won’t coach these 49ers, some players don’t take kindly to being coached by their former teammates.

What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

by SportsChicken on Jan 8, 2010 4:38 PM PST up reply actions

chickmagnet:
The Niners often take on their players as coaching interns. It would be nothing unusual for the Niners to hire Ulbrich as a ST’s assistant.
Ulbrich has said he wants to coach and he seems the perfect candidate to stay around and intern with the Niners. He knows the players and knows what they have been taught over the years. He would be a perfect guy to have around for the new ST’s coach.

by TIM___ on Jan 8, 2010 5:47 PM PST reply actions