The 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