The San Francisco 49ers have found a replacement for inside linebackers coach Hardy Nickerson. A week after Nickerson became defensive coordinator for the University of Illinois, Chip Kelly has hired Joe Bowden to coach the team's inside linebackers. He told the 49ers media that was on hand for Stanford's Pro Day.
Bowden spent four seasons serving as an assistant linebackers coach for the then St. Louis Rams. Prior to that he coached for three years at the high school level in Oklahoma. He spent nine seasons playing linebacker in the NFL, primarily with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans. He was a standout in college, earning Big Eight defensive player of the year and All American in 1991.
Here is what the Rams website has to say about Bowden. Below that is the full coaching staff as it currently looks:
Working alongside Frank Bush, Bowden has been instrumental in developing LB Alec Ogletree, who led the Rams in tackles in each of his first two seasons. Ogletree also forced four fumbles in 2014 and finished second among Rams with 11 passes defensed.
In 2013, Bowden helped oversee a young linebacker corps that was highlighted by Ogletree, who led the team in tackles as a rookie (155) and tied for third in the NFL with six forced fumbles. Ogletree and MLB James Laurinaitis started all 16 games, and Laurinaitis enjoyed his fifth-consecutive 100-tackle season.
In his first season in St. Louis, Bowden assisted with a group of linebackers that continually made big plays throughout the season. Both Laurinaitis and Jo-Lonn Dunbar started all 16 games, and Laurinaitis was on the field for every defensive snap. Laurinaitis posted a career high 174 tackles to lead the team, while Dunbar ranked second with 157 and led the team with 23 tackles for loss.
Offense
Offensive Coordinator: Curtis Modkins
Senior Advisor: Dana Bible
Wide Receivers: Bob Bicknell
Quarterbacks: Ryan Day
Unknown role: Kevin O'Connell
Tight Ends: Jeff Nixon
Running Backs: Tom Rathman
Offensive Line: Pat Flaherty
Assistant Offensive Line: Eric Wolford
Quality Control: Mick Lombardi
Offensive Analyst: Keanon Lowe
Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Jim O'Neil
Defensive Line: Jerry Azzinaro
Assistant Defensive Line: Vince Oghobaase
Inside Linebackers: Joe Bowden
Outside Linebackers: Jason Tarver
Defensive Backs: Jeff Hafley
Assistant Defensive Backs: Roy Anderson
Quality Control: Tem Lukabu
Defensive Assistant: Brian Smith
Special Teams
Derius Swinton II: Special Teams Coordinator
Michael Clay: Assistant Special Teams
J.P. Crowley Hanlon: Assistant to the coaching staff
Bill Nayes: Special assistant to head coach