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Thursday afternoon, we learned that Perry Fewell was expected to interview with the San Francisco 49ers. Friday we have a little bit more potential clarity. According to Mike Garafolo, Fewell is indeed expected to interview on Friday to become the team's defensive backs coach. Fewell spent the last six years as the New York Giants defensive coordinator, but had extensive history as a DBs coach.
If Fewell gets the job, the team's defense will feature a host of coaches with coordinator and head coach experience. Expected defensive coordinator Eric Mangini has two stints as a head coach and one as a coordinator. Tarver was the Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator. And now Fewell brings his own brand of experience to the table.
Obviously all three have their own question marks to consider. Mangini failed in his two head coaching jobs, and his one year as defensive coordinator saw the New EnglandPatriots defense regress (it is worth noting they lost a good deal of talent in the secondary). Fewell has done some good work in New York, but was let go after this past season. Our Giants blogger told me there was some criticism that he was not aggressive enough, and potentially over-thought things. Tarver was also allowed to walk as the Raiders made sizable changes to their coaching staff.
A glass half empty approach would not be surprising for some, but the experience is still valuable as they arrive in Santa Clara. They will arrive at a unit that has a good deal of talent. There are injury and retirement issues to consider, but this has a chance to be a fairly deep defense heading into 2015. With a potential committee approach to game-planning and scheming, this will be an interesting group to watch later this year.
Head coach: Jim Tomsula (news - announced)
Offensive coordinator: Rob Chudzinski (news), Mike Shanahan (rumor), Lane Kiffin (rumor)
Defensive coordinator: Eric Mangini (news - awaiting team announcement)
Defensive backs coach: Perry Fewell (news)
Linebackers coach: Jason Tarver (news - awaiting team announcement)
Special teams coordinator: Thomas McGaughey (news)
Quarterbacks coach: Geep Chryst (TBD)
Running backs coach: Tom Rathman (news - awaiting team announcement)
Offensive line coach: Chris Foerster (news - awaiting team announcement)
Assistant OL coach: Eric Wolford (news - awaiting team announcement)
Wide receivers coach: Ronald Curry (TBD)
Tight ends coach: Tony Sparano (news - awaiting team announcement)
Offensive assistant: Mick Lombardi (TBD)
Defensive assistant: Ejiro Evero (TBD)