The San Francisco 49ers appear to have wrapped up hiring their final lead position coach. On Monday, Sporting News columnist Alex Marvez reported the team was finalizing the hiring of John Benton as offensive line coach. On Tuesday, Matt Maiocco reported Benton agreed to terms to became the line coach.
Benton has extensive experience with 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. Benton was the Houston Texans offensive line coach from 2006 to 2013. Shanahan served as wide receivers coach in 2006, quarterbacks coach in 2007, and offensive coordinator in 2008 and 2009.
Benton joined the Miami Dolphins in 2014 and 2015 as offensive line coach, and was not retained when Adam Gase took over as head coach. Benton joined Gus Bradley this past year in Jacksonville, but again, was not retained when the head coach was fired. He had signed a contract in January to join the Denver Broncos, but John Elway and Vance Joseph allowed him to leave and join Shanahan.