Jim Harbaugh 49ers' Coaching Staff Update: Filling In The Blanks

by David Fucillo on Jan 13, 2011 9:01 AM PST in Jim Harbaugh 49ers Coaching Staff

I wanted to provide some sort of update about the 49ers coaching staff even though information is actually a bit light at this point. After speaking with some if not all of the 49ers current coaches, we've seen reports that offensive coordinator Mike Johnson is headed to UCLA and defensive coordinator Greg Manusky is in the midst of the Manusky World Tour looking for a job. Jim Harbaugh has yet to make any official hires, but the news reports indicate several things can be inferred at this point. The most recent recap of much of this can be found HERE. Thanks to nocal81 for posting this in a FanShot.

Vic Fangio: Although Fangio has yet to accept the defensive coordinator position with the 49ers, it sounds like it's his for the taking. He interviewed with the Cowboys but we have yet to ~~here~~ hear why exactly. Is it a matter of getting some contract leverage with the 49ers? Is it just to do his due diligence and see what's out there? I can't blame him for that at this point. Also, Barrows briefly addressed the issue of regression in Fangio defenses.

OC position: According to the nfl.com article linked above, Jim Harbaugh would be the de facto offensive coordinator. He'd hire a running game coordinator and passing game coordinator, but he'd be in charge of the offense. If that's the case, I definitely think research is in order for coaches that handle OC duties and how they've performed. The 49ers haven't had a person in that role recently so it's something worth researching a bit more. It has worked with some coaches but not with others who have seen those duties stripped from them at some point during their tenure. Any thoughts on Harbaugh calling his own plays?

Jim Leavitt: The latest reports have the 49ers considering former University of South Florida coach Jim Leavitt for their linebacker coach job. Leavitt was fired after allegedly striking a player in 2009 and would likely be using this position to rebuild his reputation and eventually get back into a higher position. That's a bit of speculation on my part but the ambition to be a head coach would seemingly still be there. Working with an up-and-coming head coach like Harbaugh could boost Leavitt's image if it's a successful pairing.

Current 49ers coaches: The nfl.com article mentions that RB coach Tom Rathman, DL coach Jim Tomsula, and OL coach Mike Solari are expected to remain with the 49ers. Rathman is interesting because of his previous experience in the west coast offense. I'm wondering if the "running game coordinator" that was mentioned would be his new role, or if he would coach linebackers with an additional coach brought in as some sort of running coordinator. The article wasn't really clear about that.

As for Solari, I'd be interested to see what he could do with guys like Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis in a second season. Both showed strong improvement at times in 2010 and will hopefully build on that in 2011. Additionally, if the offensive line could actually remain healthy, one has to wonder how they might perform as a cohesive unit. There's no guarantees they'll remain healthy, but it's worth considering.

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I'm ok with Harbaugh calling the plays...

as long as he doesn’t overwhelm himself and affect things like clock management.

by mrg80 on Jan 13, 2011 9:08 AM PST reply actions

this

Kellen Moore is awesome
Katie Mcgrath is our savior
My dream draft
1. Jake Locker QB UW 2. Jimmy Smith CB Colorado 3. Casey Mathews OLB Oregon. 4a. Owen Marecic FB/LB/ST Stanford 4b. Sione Fua NT Stanford 5. Titus Young WR Boise State 6a.Clay Nurse DE/OLB Illinois (depending on combine/proday) 6b. Chase Beeler C Stanford 7a. BPA 7b. BPA

by manraj7 on Jan 13, 2011 9:28 AM PST up reply actions

Kawakami tweet

Jon Wilner reports: Stanford expected to name David Shaw head coach this afternoon. Story link to come…

I’d think Greg Roman might be the best bet now. Especially if Harb will consider doing like he did at stanford, divide the passing & running coordinating duties.

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by Mangoman on Jan 13, 2011 9:11 AM PST reply actions

If Shaw is the new Card HC, then Roman certainly will be the new Niners OC

With 20 recruits scheduled to visit the Farm this weekend, Bowlesby needs to make a decision by the end of the day.

Fangio’s Dallas interview was probably due diligence to get a feel for his market price with an owner who is willing to pay well.

Another interesting point from Dan Brown:
“The play-calling responsibility at Stanford was a well-kept secret, with each offensive assistant specializing in an area such as third-down calls or red-zone plays.”

by Mood_Indigo on Jan 13, 2011 9:20 AM PST up reply actions

Thats a new spin on things,

or one I haven’t heard before, I like the idea. ie. 3rd down plays, red zone play calling delegated to individuals…

2011 season can't come quick enough..

by AzNiner on Jan 13, 2011 9:29 AM PST up reply actions

49ers did that in 2010 also

at least, game-planning. So they had their 3rd down plays, short yardage plays, etc. and they were drawn up by each assistant

Trust me, I have no idea either.
Nitwitter

by Tre9er on Jan 13, 2011 9:33 AM PST up reply actions

You mean to tell me

it was a more than MJ & Raye coming up with the, run it up the middle play..

2011 season can't come quick enough..

by AzNiner on Jan 13, 2011 9:36 AM PST up reply actions

well

when we were yelling at the TV on 1st and 2nd down…no, that was Raye, and then MJ

Trust me, I have no idea either.
Nitwitter

by Tre9er on Jan 13, 2011 9:37 AM PST up reply actions

3rd down play calling was terrible...

Anything Else! > Run Middle > Screen Pass

by mrg80 on Jan 13, 2011 12:54 PM PST up reply actions

let me guess

Singletary was the secret assistant.

by return222 on Jan 13, 2011 11:52 AM PST up reply actions

As long as they were inside runs to Frank Gore

It's Whore-baugh, remember?

by bignerd on Jan 13, 2011 11:40 PM PST up reply actions

good news regarding fangio

unless he ends up in Dallas – in which case he and Harbaugh didn’t really get along, so I guess that would be good news too.

by reedkrase on Jan 13, 2011 9:29 AM PST up reply actions

Here is the link

http://www.mercurynews.com/stanford-cardinal/ci_17086478?nclick_check=1

by Derek R. on Jan 13, 2011 9:41 AM PST up reply actions

Fangio

I think the only reason he was looking at Dallas was the same reason Harbaugh was looking at other teams, make it seem like they are wanted to bump that salary

by Derek R. on Jan 13, 2011 10:06 AM PST up reply actions

Fangio

I hope they see something we dont regarding this guy, as it appears he lost his touch in the 90’s and has been going downhill from there (Pro level).Although i do have alot of confidence in Harbaugh with his decision making, and i would be ok if everyone with knowledge gave him a go.

"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that."-Bill shankly

by demise on Jan 13, 2011 9:37 AM PST reply actions

I feel this is a common misconception

He has been a Defensive Coordinator for 3 teams Panthers (inception year ‘95-’98); Colts (‘99-’01); and the Texans (inception year ‘02-’05). When he was with the panthers his Defenses they gave up an average 19.8 a game over those 4 years, 2 of those years they were top 10 in point allowed (‘96-2nd,’97-8th). This was also through many personnel changes. I won’t go into the other teams because when have the Colts or Texans ever really had a good Defense? Not too many times. So his situations havent really been the best to judge him on as far as the NFL is concerned. What I do know about him outside of his Standford days is he is a believer in the zone-blitz. The later word being something the niners have been needing for years. I have never seen a reason to play a 3-4 if your not going to use the athletic ability of your OLB’s to blitz (see Packers/Ravens/Steelers ect…)

by Derek R. on Jan 13, 2011 9:56 AM PST up reply actions

Thanks

for clearing that up for me..

"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that."-Bill shankly

by demise on Jan 13, 2011 11:19 AM PST up reply actions

West Coast Offense?

Why do we even as Niner Nation keep referring to the offense as the West Coast ?
The entire league now runs some form of this offense and rather than give credit where credit is due they blanket the fact that they are running the 49ers offense with the term “West Coast”
I would at least like it called the Bill Walsh Offense. This may seem to be a small thing but it makes me mad when another team wins the Superbowl acting like they are the best thing since sliced cheese but in reality they are copy cats hiding behind a term like “West Coast”

Face it with out Shanahan taking this offense to the Bronco’s as an example Elway would have never won a Superbowl.

So the 49ers offense or Bill Walsh Offense makes no difference to me but at least here on this site let’s call it what it really is.

by O2bntahoe on Jan 13, 2011 9:38 AM PST reply actions

Bill Walsh was not the first person to run the offense.

And its been adapted so much that it isn’t run the same way. The WCO is merely a style on which to base an offense at this point, but good coaches will adjust it to match their offensive personnel. I don’t see any reason to call it the 49ers offense or Bill Walsh offense as its not the same thing and the naming makes no difference in the end.

by Joshuahss on Jan 13, 2011 9:44 AM PST up reply actions

Plus...

It was dubbed the West Coast Offense by Bill Parcells in the 1985 playoffs and the name has stuck. I don’t think it is a slight to the Niners or Parcells. Walsh actually began using it with the Bengals before becoming the Niners head coach, so calling it the 49ers offense would be inaccurate as well.

by Joshuahss on Jan 13, 2011 9:48 AM PST up reply actions

Triple post.

Slight to Niners or Walsh that should read.

by Joshuahss on Jan 13, 2011 9:49 AM PST up reply actions

Yes, the term "WCO" was first applied to Air Coryell...

…with Mike Martz the lone guardian of its legacy today. Most of what we call WCO is based on Walsh’s system, not Coryell’s.

by Bigmouth on Jan 13, 2011 11:04 AM PST up reply actions

Ok

You make very good points.
My only reply would be Why did Parcels call it West Coast? Because it came from SF. I know that it has been ran before and in other ways but it was Bill that perfected it. That is what made SF a Dominating force in the 80’s and the only way to beat it was start running it. That’s why our coaches were in such high demand. Other teams wanted that program and how to run it. So really that Offensive set up changed the way the entire NFL played the game.

by O2bntahoe on Jan 13, 2011 10:01 AM PST up reply actions

You are correct.

And Bill Walsh is Widely renowned as an offensive genius. I just don’t think the name makes a difference in the end. Watching some of the current WCOs, they look nothing like what Walsh developed back then.

by Joshuahss on Jan 13, 2011 10:02 AM PST up reply actions

The same reason why Parcells would only call TO "the player,"

he’s just messing with you. Parcells always has to be the “top dog” and he hates to give other people any credit. He would never want to credit another head coach, especially Bill Walsh, who ran circles around him. It is kind of ironic really, when you consider that Parcells owes all his Super Bowl wins to Belichick.

by rhaegar on Jan 13, 2011 1:02 PM PST up reply actions

And

It makes no sense to say any team that wins only won because of the WCO.

And everybody does not use it. There are other offenses out there.

"Bears are crazy, Willie. They'll bite your head off if you're wearing steak on it."

by Blank x2 on Jan 13, 2011 9:50 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

Not to mention the NFL is a copy cat league.

If someone is winning, why wouldn’t you use them as an example for the future. There are things developed by other teams that I would like to see our team do more. The Niners didn’t invent the 3-4, but if they won the Superbowl while running it would they be “hiding behind” the 3-4 defense?

by Joshuahss on Jan 13, 2011 9:58 AM PST up reply actions

HC with playcalling duties.

The most successful one I have seen recently is Sean Payton. Apparately Mike Holmgren did for much of his career, so has Ken Whisenhunt. Next year Harbaugh wouldn’t be alone if he does either, as it is reported Todd Haley and Jason Garrett will both call the plays for the team as well. I don’t know how much being a first time NFL HC would impact his ability to call the plays either. Here is an older story which highlights some of the potential issues he would have to deal with.

by Joshuahss on Jan 13, 2011 9:40 AM PST reply actions

If we score TD instead of INT or FG

I don’t care who is calling the plays.

by manraj7 on Jan 13, 2011 9:44 AM PST reply actions

+10000

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

by Eastbayjim on Jan 13, 2011 9:56 AM PST up reply actions

Ok, I'll go ahead and be "that guy".

He interviewed with the Cowboys but we have yet to here why exactly.

hear why.

GO NINERS!

by BruinMW on Jan 13, 2011 9:47 AM PST reply actions

I'm sure it was out of respect, Not that dallas deserves any especially JJ

2011 season can't come quick enough..

by AzNiner on Jan 13, 2011 9:48 AM PST up reply actions

He wasn't quesioning the interview.....

he was correcting the grammar in the quote. here ≠ hear

by Zabat on Jan 13, 2011 10:03 AM PST up reply actions

Roman interviews with 49ers. Not sure if this has been posted yet, but if not, here it is…

C'mon Beane! Close off the bottom deck and reopen the top!

by proevn on Jan 13, 2011 9:48 AM PST reply actions

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/01/11/SPC11H7GJB.DTL&utm_source=bleacherreport.com

Woops

C'mon Beane! Close off the bottom deck and reopen the top!

by proevn on Jan 13, 2011 9:49 AM PST up reply actions

Sorry Ya'll...dont know how to embed a link.

C'mon Beane! Close off the bottom deck and reopen the top!

by proevn on Jan 13, 2011 9:50 AM PST up reply actions

Don't put it in the subject line.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/01/11/SPC11H7GJB.DTL&utm_source=bleacherreport.com

Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
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by mikev on Jan 13, 2011 9:56 AM PST up reply actions

Thanks

C'mon Beane! Close off the bottom deck and reopen the top!

by proevn on Jan 13, 2011 10:00 AM PST up reply actions

even though sfgate links usually end up broken anyway

Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.

by mikev on Jan 13, 2011 10:01 AM PST up reply actions

Weird..

From what I understood, Harbaugh designed the passing offense, while Roman designed the running game. They then let Shaw call the plays.

I think that makes more sense than having Harbaugh actually handle play-calling duties, as the NFL article seems to suggest.

by Bigmouth on Jan 13, 2011 9:51 AM PST reply actions

Interesting

I think that would work better, as an offensive play calling HC just rings of us hearing about those “headset” issues all over again.

C'mon Beane! Close off the bottom deck and reopen the top!

by proevn on Jan 13, 2011 9:53 AM PST up reply actions

Sean Payton doesn't have those problems.

If handled correctly it can be done, but it might be putting alot on Harbaugh’s plate in the beginning.

by Joshuahss on Jan 13, 2011 9:55 AM PST up reply actions

Good points...

by Bigmouth on Jan 13, 2011 9:56 AM PST up reply actions

I think Harbaugh would like to call the plays like Payton

But, like you said, it would be alot on his plate this early in the game. Initially, I believe, he should have a OC or Running and Passing Coaches, and transition into the role of calling the offensive plays himself over the course of the next 2 years.

C'mon Beane! Close off the bottom deck and reopen the top!

by proevn on Jan 13, 2011 9:59 AM PST up reply actions

In fairness...

…I just reread the NFL.com article, and it doesn’t expressly say Harbaugh will call the plays.

by Bigmouth on Jan 13, 2011 9:56 AM PST up reply actions

What you guys think of Eric Mangini as a DC

unless he’s looking for another HC job.

by EcERyda69 on Jan 13, 2011 9:55 AM PST reply actions

How was he as a DC?

What formation does he run?

by manraj7 on Jan 13, 2011 10:02 AM PST up reply actions

From Wikipedia

After spending 1996 as an offensive assistant with the Baltimore Ravens, Mangini rejoined Belichick4 and spent three seasons as a defensive assistant with the New York Jets. When Belichick was hired as the New England Patriots head coach in 2000, he brought along Mangini5 as his defensive backs coach. Mangini, who won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, turned down defensive coordinator positions with the Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders and Cleveland Browns before accepting the position with New England in 2005.6

The guy learned from Belichick maybe he’s a better Coordinator than HC

by EcERyda69 on Jan 13, 2011 10:14 AM PST up reply actions

I'm not so sure

The one year Mangini was a DC in The NFL, his defense was ranked 26th overall, 2nd to last in pass defense, 17th in points allowed. They were ok in run D, 8th. The year after he left, The Pats improved to 6th in the league and 4th the year after. Until this season they were never worse than 11th.

Don't mind me, I'm on a roller coaster. . .
www.twitter.com/@yougomango

by Mangoman on Jan 13, 2011 10:26 AM PST up reply actions

yeah I just seen those stats

they were the second worst while we were the WORST in passing Defense. Glad to see it hasnt changed much since 2005.

Yeah I’ll pass on Mangini. just wanted to see where he stands among the NN as a DC.

by EcERyda69 on Jan 13, 2011 10:30 AM PST up reply actions

Just to be fair I'm looking at it from a player perspective too

And seeing if it might have been improved personnel, but there weren’t huge changes from 05-06. The most significant may have been the loss of Richard Seymour.

But there are other cases where personnel could have made a really significant difference. Vic Fangio is a good example. When he was at Houston, his defenses were never better than 16th. In his last year, his D was 2nd to last. But he more or less had nothing to speak of on his squad. When he was Special Defensive HC with The Ravens from 06 to 09-10, those defenses were never worse than 10th. And we can go into who’s been in that D all day!

Don't mind me, I'm on a roller coaster. . .
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by Mangoman on Jan 13, 2011 10:55 AM PST up reply actions

oh and they run a 3-4

by EcERyda69 on Jan 13, 2011 10:15 AM PST up reply actions

Here is a WCO website

http://www.westcoastoffense.com/

Its informative if you have no idea what it actually is.

by manraj7 on Jan 13, 2011 10:04 AM PST reply actions

David Shaw

To be Stanford HC.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6018486

by h0ckeysk83r on Jan 13, 2011 10:06 AM PST reply actions

Roman/Shaw post

I thought it was worth a separate post, particularly given Shaw’s promotion at Stanford.

http://www.ninersnation.com/2011/1/13/1932980/david-shaw-named-stanford-head-coach-greg-roman-front-runner-for-jim

by David Fucillo on Jan 13, 2011 10:16 AM PST reply actions

Stanford 49ers

I don’t like it. I realize that if Harbaugh brings a lot of his staff over there will be familiarity and cohesion. But I’d rather see somebody who has been an NFL coordinator recently so that the staff has some sort of experience with NFL players and strategies.

That said, I doubt any legitimate coordinator would come to San Francisco right now

If I gotta play, I'm gonna play 'till I win,
Since I gotta be here, I can´t wait to begin

by albertoleecho on Jan 13, 2011 10:45 AM PST reply actions

I disagree with everything you are saying.

Harbaugh built his staff because of their NFL experience, and it sounds like he is keeping guys like Tomsula and Rathman around to help with the transition. Every coach being talked about has been in the NFL at some point.

As for a legitimate coordinater coming to SF, we got the HC we wanted so I don’t think that is an issue. The main thing would be finding guys Harbaugh is comfortable with so we don’t have issues like Haley and Weis in KC.

by Joshuahss on Jan 13, 2011 10:54 AM PST up reply actions

Stanford staff

Agree with what Hessdad04 says. His staff was stacked with a ton of NFL experience.

by David Fucillo on Jan 13, 2011 10:57 AM PST up reply actions

Another Roman on our team?

This one sounds like he won’t get “beat in coverage” lol. I’d be ok with him as a coach for us. I’m sure Harbaugh knows what success looks like by experience.

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by wellnesscoach on Jan 13, 2011 10:47 AM PST reply actions

Harbaugh

can call plasy on Offense, Defense, ST and even in the bedroom with my girlfriend as far as I’m concerned. Come to think of it, if he actually DID sleep with my girlfriend, it would probably make me love her more. That’s how awesome Jim Harbaugh is.

Member of the legendary Jim Harbaugh threads... all 1687603 of them.

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by return2greatness on Jan 13, 2011 11:27 AM PST reply actions