49ers 2011 Coaching Staff: Jim Harbaugh Reportedly Hires Jim Leavitt, Former USF Coach, As Linebackers Coach
by David Fucillo on Jan 19, 2011 8:13 AM PST
in Jim Harbaugh 49ers Coaching Staff
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PrintThe San Francisco 49ers have reportedly added a new linebackers coach in the form of Jim Leavitt, the former University of South Florida head coach. He is the first 49ers coaching hire to not have any NFL experience on his resume. Of course, as a linebackers coach it remains to be seen if that kind of experience is necessary. Prior to his role as head coach he was a defensive assistant at five difference schools, including linebackers coach for two years at Kansas State.
Leavitt was the first head coach of the USF football program and was let go in 2009 after an alleged incident that involved him reportedly struck a player. Leavitt sued and a settlement was reached. He didn't coach last year (that I can tell) and this would seem the first step in an attempt to rehabilitate his image and potentially make his way back up the coaching ranks. It will be interesting to see how long he sticks around with the 49ers.
Given his position with the 49ers, does his lack of head coaching experience matter? Here is your current 49ers coaching staff, based on news reports for some and 49ers official announcements for others:
Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh (Yep, he's still there)
OC: Greg Roman
DC: Vic Fangio
RB: Tom Rathman
WR: John Morton
OL: Tim Drevno & Mike Solari
DL: Jim Tomsula
DB: Ed Donatell
Jim Leavitt
1978-79 - Missouri - Grad Assistant
1980-81 - Dubuque - Defensive Coordinator
1982 - Morningside - Special Teams Coordinator
1983-87 - Morningside - Defensive Coordinator
1989 - Iowa - Grad Assistant
1990-91 - Kansas State - Linebackers Coach
1992-95 - Kansas State - Defensive Coordinator
1996-09 - University of South Florida - Head Coach
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Have Rathman and Tomsula been officially resigned?
1.) (trade down to 20) Brandon Harris CB Miami 2.) Jimmy Smith CB 2.) (acquired) Pat Devlin QB Delaware 3.) Casey Matthews OLB Oregon 4.) Austin Pettis WR Boise State 4.)Sione Fua NT Stanford 4.) (acquired) Greg McElroy QB Alabama 5.) Owen Marecic FB Stanford 6.) Chimdi Chekwa FS Ohio State 7.) Chase Beeler C Stanford 7.) Greg Salas WR Hawaii 7.) (supplemental) Chad Spann RB N. Illinois
no...
If you check out the link (based on news reports), Maiocco indicates they’re both expected back but nothing officially is set.
by David Fucillo on Jan 19, 2011 8:30 AM PST up reply actions
Honestly i can't stand leavitt and was glad he was fired from USF i'll never forget that
crazy look he had when he ran up on this kid pulling him by the jersey some parents believe in that kind of coaching well you ain’t dealing with all kids your dealing men and this aint college.its the NFL know you want to support all of our coaches i just can’t my opinion i think he’s a jerk and we could of done better.
by Jayubb415rebirth on Jan 19, 2011 9:04 AM PST up reply actions
we go from pulling down pants to pulling up jersey
I’d say that’s a positive direction.
Harbaugh will find a QB and he will succeed.
You know what in the spirit of 2011 being a new year that brings new change i will like
to give leavitt the benifit of the doubt doesn’t mean he’s a bad person.
by Jayubb415rebirth on Jan 19, 2011 9:25 AM PST up reply actions
I wonder. . . .
. . . who JH is going to pick as the QB coach? Or will it be him?
Maiocco just tweeted:
“League source: 49ers have hired Geep Chryst to join Jim Harbaugh’s staff. He has 18 yrs of NFL experience. He has coached TEs and QBs.”
It sounds like Chryst could possibly be the QB coach.
Or TE coach.
We still need one of those.
Props to York/Baalke for reeling in Harbaugh. Now everybody get back to work!
twitter me @grantmp1
It does bear noting that Chyrst was Harbaugh’s QB coach once upon a time
Props to York/Baalke for reeling in Harbaugh. Now everybody get back to work!
twitter me @grantmp1
Agreed Greep Chryst might be QB coach
He was instrumental while Jim Harbaugh was playing @ San Diego & Jake “the snake” @ AZ
by Kidd2Petrovic on Jan 19, 2011 9:35 AM PST up reply actions
Jim Leavitt
I think he is a great hire. He is a firey SOB. He will put a scaryness PW has yet to unleash (not taking away is greatness), but will bring out the psycho in all our LBs. I saw a lot of him n my six yrs on the east coast.
by david w gibson on Jan 19, 2011 8:36 AM PST via mobile reply actions
anyone that can make USF a power has my attention.
Hopefully he won’t have to punch any 49er players to get theirs.
Props to York/Baalke for reeling in Harbaugh. Now everybody get back to work!
twitter me @grantmp1
Looks like a decent hire
Leavitt had some good teams at S Florida. He comes with a little bit of controversy, but I highly doubt anything like what he was accused (underline accused) of will translate to the next level.
Don't mind me, I'm on a roller coaster. . .
www.twitter.com/@yougomango
Sometimes a kid needs to be smacked
to get him to wake the (site decorum) up. Just kidding…but really, who knows, I could see circumstances in which I would “strike” a college player: he made a pass at my wife or daughter, smoked meth, grabbed my junk….the list goes on.
Alaska is a state, dammit! Can I get a Niner game on TV up here?
Im not ive seen him'' act ' like a idiot on the sideline at USF i know he isn't the first or last
coach that will scream n yell at their players just with him it seemed so much overboard i mean honestly someone should show him a video of himself screaming and pulling on his players jersey.
by Jayubb415rebirth on Jan 19, 2011 9:11 AM PST reply actions
Apropos of nothing, anybody had a look at who Kiper has the Niners taking at #7?
(I don’t have Insider).
Props to York/Baalke for reeling in Harbaugh. Now everybody get back to work!
twitter me @grantmp1
Kiper's Mock Draft 1.0 ...
1. Carolina — Fairly
2. Denver — Peterson
3. Buffalo — Dareus
4. Cincinatti — Bowers
5. Arizona — Gabbert
6. Cleveland — Green
7. Niners — Robert Quinn DE North Carolina
8. Tennessee — Miller
9. Dallas — Amukamara
10. Washington — Newton
Other first round:
St. Louis — Jones
Seattle — Mallet
Note that Kiper doesn’t expect Locker to go in the first round
by 49erFanSince1950 on Jan 19, 2011 9:40 AM PST up reply actions
DE from North Carolina
Anyone remember the last DE we took from North Carolina??? BUST!!!!!
I think the Niners should pass on Quinn and go with Prince Amukmara a CB. We have been getting dominated by WR all season long and need someone who can actually intercept a ball.
Prince could bust as well. Quinn st least has the size weight and abilitu, after that its coaching.
Don't make me "JEEBUS" you!!!!
Quinn is a very different type.
Balmer was a 1-year wonder 5-technique that would’ve been a passing-down DT had he ever showed any pass rush ability as a pro player. Quinn has a body some have compared to Julius Peppers at 6’5", 270. He could be a Clay Matthews type in Fangio’s defense, though a better comparison might be DeMarcus Ware (all comparisons are in terms of upside), since he lines up from the defensive right side rather than the left (as Matthews does).
Props to York/Baalke for reeling in Harbaugh. Now everybody get back to work!
twitter me @grantmp1
a couple of links for you:
http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2010/4/28/1449808/get-to-know-north-carolinas-robert
http://nflmocks.com/2010/05/17/2011-nfl-draft-scouting-report-robert-quinn-unc/
Props to York/Baalke for reeling in Harbaugh. Now everybody get back to work!
twitter me @grantmp1
Those are some informative articles, thanks.
I do see what you guys are saying about him being a complete athletic freak.
Like you were getting at, the say he has the size and speed to be special.
The question I ask though, is he better suited for a 4-3 as opposed to the current 3-4 that we run? Or better yet, are we going to change back to the 4-3 with the new coaching staff? Either way, besides Justin Smith, we have no real true pass rusher on our squad.
So would it be safe to say he is more of a hybrid type lineman/OLB?
I think he could player either but with his speed I would like to see him at the OLB. I think we will end up picking up Lawrence Guy in the 4th round that could play DE in our 3-4. I would rather have guys that are 280+ on the line, but i am sure Quinn could get up to that. So its really up to where he fits best in the new scheme, but remember (not that this is the only speed measurement) but he runs a 4.5 or 4.6 which is Clay Mathews speed except quin in 6’5 270.
He has the potential to be a 3-4 OLB yes
His primary responsibility should be rushing the passer, regardless of 4-3 or 3-4. Realistically, for a guy like Quinn, that makes somewhat less of a difference, because 3-4 OLBs become DEs on passing downs in the Nickel or Dime package. This is the sense in which I see him as potentially being a DeMarcus Ware type player: he’s a linebacker, yes, but primarily a rusher — nobody’s counting on him for passes defensed or interceptions.
Props to York/Baalke for reeling in Harbaugh. Now everybody get back to work!
twitter me @grantmp1
Kinda like Calais Campbell.............
That came out of Miami a few years ago and plays for the Cardinals.
I wanted him then, and we took Balmer instead.
D train to Bensonhurst Brooklyn BABEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There were a lot of questions about Campbell around draft time.
I think he had a sports hernia and he was an underclassman IIRC. His size and speed made him intriguing, but not much else.
Props to York/Baalke for reeling in Harbaugh. Now everybody get back to work!
twitter me @grantmp1
They said he was lazy..............
he went after balmer, in either the 2nd or 3rd rd and has made inpmact, something balmer never did.
D train to Bensonhurst Brooklyn BABEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11. Strange Hairdo -- Kiper's Head
This kid has all the intangibles. Strong with bulk and does not bend under pressure. With a little more conditioner this guy can be an all-star. Look for teams with bald coaches to trade up and get this wig.
Nice
When you look at this guy’s hair, you’re getting a head of hair that’s never going to be out of position, never going to take a day off to be messy, just total effort by that hair all the time. I wouldn’t count that hair out of getting drafted higher than its rating by most scouts, just because you don’t very often come across hair with a motor like this hair has, and with that level of height and volume—that’s rare hair guys.
Props to York/Baalke for reeling in Harbaugh. Now everybody get back to work!
twitter me @grantmp1
I hope not i have seen some bad plays yate has made in clutch moments maybe
yates being the backup to a veteran ?
by Jayubb415rebirth on Jan 19, 2011 9:31 AM PST up reply actions
I've seen him make some clutch plays too
He’s got all the tools and he’ll be available in the mid rounds.
Size, athleticism, pro offense, leadership keeps head down field, checks down if nothings open, goes through progressions well, good footwork, big arm, can make plays outside the pocket
I see a Harbaugh kind of guy. Also check out his interview on QB competition. Very Smart and articulate.
Harbaugh will find a QB and he will succeed.
yeah, granted I'm a UNC guy
but I was really impressed with the way he improved over the course of his career as a tarheel and especially in his senior season. It was clear he’s a quarterback who excels a lot more when he has weapons to work with but I think him as a niner would fit that mold and I’d be very happy to see us use a mid-round pick on him, maybe let him sit a year…
by foosball4949 on Jan 19, 2011 9:54 AM PST up reply actions
Ive seen atleast 4 full games of yates and don't get me wrong i think on size
athletecism,and arm strength are all there i just don’t know about in clutch situations but would i like him on are team yes because he has alot of upside in him.
by Jayubb415rebirth on Jan 19, 2011 11:02 AM PST up reply actions
i can’t say i have seen much of Yates or Stanzi but I figure with projections on these guys putting them in the 6th or 7th round one of these two guys has to get drafted. It would allow us to concentrate on the defensive side of the ball in early rounds (DE,OLB,CB and maybe DT). If we get a FA QB that can play at least a year I can definitely see this happening with no real standouts at QB
I might think one of those two will get drafted before the 6th rd now which one is the
question but yates might kill it at th combine he has all tools now stanzi may had more success but someone will reach for one of them.
by Jayubb415rebirth on Jan 19, 2011 11:09 AM PST up reply actions
yup, hes still here
lol. still hard to believe.
but i like our coaching staff so far ( on paper) i just want to see how we all mesh together.
"Is that John Candy?"
As far as NFL exsperience are you cool with that ,to me it all starts with the HC damm i'm
glad singletery is not there anymore n i used to always support him early on but at the end i was like enough already somebody save me lol.
by Jayubb415rebirth on Jan 19, 2011 9:51 AM PST up reply actions
With respect to the coaching staff ...
Wow! I think that Harbaugh is putting together a hell of a staff … assuming that Leavitt, Rathman and Tomsula become reality. I for one am rooting very hard that JH hires his Special Teams Coordinator from Stanford … Brian Polian, who is a great young coach who knows STs upside down and backwards. Go JH!
by 49erFanSince1950 on Jan 19, 2011 9:46 AM PST reply actions
Absolutely
I think Harbaugh has a lot of respect around the league, and I believe that is making a lot of coaches want to work with him. Whatever it is, the staff is looking pretty solid.
Honorary parent of Duane Kuiper, beloved broadcaster and power hitting coach for the Giants.
by Giant Voodoo on Jan 19, 2011 10:05 AM PST up reply actions
Thats cool my footall knowledge only goes so far don't get me wrong ive been watching
the game since 1981 ( 11yrs old ) and know alot of the coaches but when you start going into position coaches i get lost sometimes.
by Jayubb415rebirth on Jan 19, 2011 11:22 AM PST up reply actions
You know what...
I’m really looking forward to all the photo opps once JH has completed hiring his full staff.
Why is our off-season more exciting than our regular season?!
A "haha" at Seattle
I don’t know about the rest of you guys, but I get sick of Seattle fans delusionally praising their team for making it to the divisional round on house money. I thought The Tuesday Morning Quarterback article linked below was excellent in ripping on them. Here are some highlighted quotes from the article.
“In other football news, “the Seattle Seahawks” are now the answer to the future trivia question, “What was the only team in football history to play 18 games and lose 10?” High school and college teams never appear in 18 games. Many NFL teams have reached the 18th game, but all previous NFL teams to do this began the postseason with winning records. A couple of 8-8 teams reached the NFL postseason, but it’s impossible to advance from 8-8 to 8-10; a couple 4-5 teams reached the postseason during the 1982 strike, but no NFL team played 18 that season. On Sunday, Seattle became the NFL team to finish a season 8-10.
Seahawks’ players returning to their hometowns this winter will be able to swagger around saying, “Yeah baby, first 8-10 football team, nobody will ever take that away from us.” They’ll be telling their grandchildren, ‘I was on the only 8-10 football team of all time…’"
….
“Buck-Buck-Brawckkkkkkk: The Seahawks, first football team ever to be 8-9, first NFL team ever to appear in the divisionals with a losing record, trailed the host Bears 7-0 when they faced fourth-and-1 on the Chicago 40-yard line — and punted. The punt occurred in the first quarter — and TMQ wrote the words “game over” in his notebook. Yea, verily, it came to pass.
You’re a losing team trailing on the road in the playoffs — and punting on fourth-and-1 in opposition territory? Later when it was 28-3 and too late, then the Seahawks went for it on fourth down. This is the classic coach’s blame-shifting dance: Don’t try on fourth down when the game is close, try when it’s too late.
Trailing 28-0 at the end of the third quarter, Pete “One Step Ahead of the NCAA Posse” Carroll ordered a field goal from the Chicago 12-yard line. Sure at this juncture the odds of a comeback are slim, but don’t play to avoid being shut out, try to win! Then Carroll didn’t even have the dignity to onside kick, rather, ordered his charges to kick away. Scoring to pull within 28-9 in the fourth quarter, Carroll didn’t go for two — the Seahawks were desperate for points! — rather ordered a singleton PAT, hoping to make the final score seem respectable.
Overall the Seahawks’ effort was so lame — throwing short when down 28-10 late in the fourth quarter — the game doesn’t even merit full analysis."
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/110118_tuesday_morning_quarterback&sportCat=nfl
Jim Harbaugh doesn't just WANT winners, he MAKES them!
The 49ers just had to win one game to get to the post season.
well, did they?
Jim Harbaugh, new Head Coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Now what?
No
I’m not disputing that the 49ers choked on a major hairball. My only point is that Seattle deserves to be ripped and my only beef is with delusional Seattle fans that honestly believe their team was any good. Go to the NFC West Blog on ESPN and you’ll see what I mean.
In contrast, I KNOW my team wasn’t very good last year and I would have been somewhat embarrassed to have them in the playoffs because it would have masked our serious coaching and quarterback deficiencies and we would have been the ridiculous 7-9 team in the playoff history books.
I also believe that the 49ers have a much higher ceiling for optimism because of having the best talent in the division and (from all appearances) a very competent and bright coaching staff that will actually use the talent.
Jim Harbaugh doesn't just WANT winners, he MAKES them!
so I'll tie this in...
Seattle has no idea what to expect when Harbaugh gets this potentially awesome coaching staff in sync with our current and yet-to-be acquired talent.
I don’t think the 49ers will be an instant success because of the CBA (and the expected delay in getting it signed) and because of the adjustment the team will be making to the new coaching staff. Early on, the team could struggle. I suspect if the season starts on time, the team will be competitive but could lose some early games. Then around the mid-season, things will click and the team will rally to finish something like 8-8. Meanwhile our QBOTF will be sitting on the bench the entire year, learning from Harbaugh so that he can start in 2012.
Jim Harbaugh doesn't just WANT winners, he MAKES them!
This is awesome
Coach Jim Harbaugh adds “__________” sounds so much better than Coach Mike Singletary adds “__________”…. I can’t wait for the roster moves
by LADubbz45 on Jan 19, 2011 10:49 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Whether you want to admit or not but the seahawks represented the NFC west
for us since singletery help piss away our chances and yes he had help so all the ripping the seahawks took was for all of us.Can you believe you had ‘’ Idiots’’saying that the whole playoff format should be changed just because our division sucked so bad well the division that sucked so bad had damm near everyody in america had the last season SB winner saints beating the seahawks.Now i can go back to hating the seahawks,rams,and arizona but for a moment i was rooting for the little man being seahawks.
by Jayubb415rebirth on Jan 19, 2011 10:53 AM PST reply actions
I Like this signing.
Levitt sounds like a very good coach that is passionate about the game. Hope he has them playing to win, not playing scared.
Jay Cruise
Ab Workouts Mind Body Spirit Arthritis Treatment
Random
but i hope we take Christian Ponder in the draft. This a special kid who is extremely intelligent (got his degree in 2.5 yrs), he’s a great leader, can learn and master an offense quickly, has great accuracy, can make protection calls at the line, and can read coverages already. Makes good decisions with the ball, but does need help with his reads. He’s a very underrated athlete. Arm strength is not ideal, but is enough. The biggest concern is that he has been injury prone. He is such a tough kid that he’ll throw his body around when scrambling for extra yards.
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