Jerry Rice as WR coach: flight of fancy?

by ak4niner on Jan 28, 2012 2:57 PM PST

This is my first fan post, so be nice.

With Bobby Engram leaving, that leaves a vacancy in the coaching staff. One of my dreams has been to see the Greatest Of All Time come back to the 49ers. As a player, Jerry Rice mentored other WR's and made them better. Even though the best known of them, Terrell Owens, was locker room poison, his drive to play has never been questioned. I think that the 49ers, especially with what happened in the NFC title game, should tap into the greatness of Jerry Rice and make him into the WR coach.

So, flight of fancy or a real possibility? Would he be able to become a good coach, or is his greatness limited to what he did on the field?

Poll

Would Jerry Rice make a good Wide Receiver Coach for the 49ers?

Heck yes!

166 votes

His greatness is only in playing, not coaching.

22 votes

He wouldn't be interested.

57 votes

None of the above. (please explain)

7 votes

252 votes | Poll has closed

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.

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Comments

I don't think he'd be interested

He could probably be good at it, but it seems he’s focused on getting the media attention he craved as a player.

by mrg80 on Jan 28, 2012 4:17 PM PST reply actions

I can dream can't I?

Who's got it better than Honey Badger? Honey Badger don't give a ....

by ak4niner on Jan 28, 2012 5:23 PM PST up reply actions

How often do great players make great coachs?

Once in a blue moon.

by HighFive on Jan 28, 2012 4:36 PM PST reply actions

Its the players that are good but doesn't have the greatest athletic ability

so they have to win with technique

And when we win, we want to dominate. We want to take guys out. We want to hurt guys. We want to win. We just want to dominate, hit them in the mouth. - Rathman
Follow @manraj76

by manraj7 on Jan 28, 2012 5:31 PM PST up reply actions

That sounds to me a lot like how The GOAT did things….granted not everyone has his work ethic

"It is not enough that we win; all others must lose" -Larry Ellison
"I come up with something when I’ve got nothing, and it’s always brilliant. Always. So I reject your logic." -Grant

by Mdizzle138 on Jan 29, 2012 3:46 PM PST up reply actions

It's impossible for Jerry Rice to impart what made him great

Even amongst the all-time best football players, Jerry was wired differently. He’s wired like Jordan, Kobe, Tiger, Albert Pujols etc. It’s an obsession.

by hammystyle on Jan 28, 2012 7:17 PM PST reply actions

I think already coached in Seatle a few years ago

and he still shows much love to the 49ers on facebook and the media

by STELF BOMBZ on Jan 29, 2012 2:07 AM PST reply actions

can't vote twice....

I do think Jerry could impart some of what made time great, much like Kevin Greene is doing in GB. I also believe he would be a great coach. I just don’t think he would be interested. Too many money making opportunities out there for him and he wouldn’t be able to get those deals as a WR coach.

by Chaotic9erFan on Jan 29, 2012 10:42 AM PST reply actions

There's no particular reason to think he'd be an especially good coach.

A lot of times the guys who are great at doing it aren’t great at teaching it.

Who knows if he’s interested, but even if he is … there’s no particular reason to think he’d be a great coach.

by Ronaldinho on Jan 29, 2012 8:22 PM PST reply actions

Truly a flight of fancy....

Not that I don’t think Rice wouldn’t make a great coach. But, IMO Rice’s greatest asset was his unwavering drive to THE BEST. That’s not something that any coach can TEACh a player. Either you have it, or you don’t. Without that NATURAL drive and sense of urgency, all the coaching in the world won’t make a difference. However, I too have wished Jerry would don the Red & Gold as a coach. If for no other reason than to be a bridge from the glory days to the bright future of our club.

K.C.Edwards -AKA- "THE" DarkkStarr

by DarkkStarr1 on Jan 31, 2012 2:18 PM PST reply actions

I guess so.

I still think he would do well. Teach his technique and football smarts, plus show them his work ethic. That is if he can coach. As mentioned by others, being the GOAT doesn’t always translate to coaching skills.

Who's got it better than Honey Badger? Honey Badger don't give a ....

by ak4niner on Jan 31, 2012 3:24 PM PST up reply actions

Agreed

But, it still comes back to the players. One of the resons Terrell Owens did so well while he was here is that he got with Jerry and adopted his workout regime. But, it was his DESIRRE to be as good or bettr than Jerry that made him a great receiver. It wasn’t until he started reading his own press that he started to fall off.

K.C.Edwards -AKA- "THE" DarkkStarr

by DarkkStarr1 on Feb 1, 2012 6:38 AM PST up reply actions