FAITHFUL - The San Francisco 49ers - Madden16

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Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers mutually part ways
By Gregg Rosenthal
Around The NFL Editor
Published: Dec. 28, 2014 at 08:03 p.m. Updated: Dec. 29, 2014 at 07:32 a.m.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300...ally-part-ways

After months of speculation, the Jim Harbaugh era in San Francisco is over.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday soon after San Francisco's season-ending 20-17 win that Harbaugh and the 49ers are parting ways, according to a source involved in the situation.

Harbaugh was given the game ball and a Gatorade bath at the end of his team's victory over Arizona on Sunday. It felt like a celebration, but the 49ers knew it was the end.

"I had the time of my life. It's like that song," Harbaugh said with a smile after the game. "I had the time of my life; I really did."

The Niners missed the playoffs in eight consecutive seasons before Harbaugh took the reins in 2011. He instantly turned San Francisco into a perennial contender, leading the team to three straight postseason berths, including a Super Bowl appearance and two other trips to the NFC Championship Game. However, his final season roaming the 49ers' sideline was a disappointment: The team trudged its way to an 8-8 record.

"Jim and I have come to the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interest to move in different directions," owner Jed York said in a statement. "We thank Jim for bringing a tremendous competitive nature and a great passion for the game to the 49ers. He and his staff restored a winning culture that has been the standard for our franchise throughout its history."

The front office and Harbaugh clearly had their differences, and we have to wonder if the 49ers will be able to find another coach as capable as Harbaugh. Defensive line coach Jim Tomsula has been mentioned as a strong in-house candidate. On Monday, Rapoport reported that the 49ers will be lengthy and methodical in their search for their next coach, and that they are in no hurry. Rapoport elaborated on NFL AM as to more potential candidates for the coaching job, including Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, and UCLA coach Jim Mora.

Harbaugh didn't try to hide the fact he was leaving in his postgame press conference, even before his departure was officially announced. Harbaugh was asked about possibly joining the University of Michigan as their next head coach.

"There will be announcements made concerning those things," Harbaugh said.

Rapoport said on NFL Gameday Highlights that Harbaugh is "almost certain" to wind up as Michigan's coach, with a salary ballooning north of $8 million. Harbaugh finishes with a 49-22-1 career record in San Francisco.

"I count up these wins, that's 49 wins. It seems appropriate," Harbaugh said.

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In 49ers’ search for coach, three names stand out early
BY MATT BARROWS
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nfl/san...le5309805.html

SANTA CLARA - The 49ers have cast a wide net in their effort to land Jim Harbaugh’s replacement, but three names stood out Thursday.

One is former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, who reportedly will meet with the 49ers in Denver in the coming days. Shanahan won two Super Bowls in Denver in the late 1990s, but his most recent stint, in Washington, ended a year ago with a 24-41 record, including playoffs, and one postseason trip in four years.

The 49ers also will meet with former New York Jets coach Rex Ryan on Sunday, the NFL Network reported. The outspoken Ryan, a longtime defensive specialist, was 50-52, including playoffs, in six seasons with the Jets.

News also emerged that Washington would like to interview two 49ers assistants, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and secondary coach Ed Donatell, for its vacant defensive coordinator position.

The 49ers have granted Donatell permission but not Fangio. That was interpreted by at least one person close to the search that Fangio is a legitimate contender for the 49ers’ head-coaching job.

Fangio is believed to be the first candidate the search committee – CEO Jed York, general manager Trent Baalke and President Paraag Marathe – interviewed for the opening. Fangio also received a boost from several prominent players, including linebacker NaVorro Bowman.

“I would like to see Vic Fangio here,” Bowman said Monday. “Now whether that’s head coach or (defensive coordinator), I would like to see him here. … We’ve just built so much, there’s a lot of chemistry there with the guys that have been here for the four years with him. I don’t think we want to lose that.”

Fangio’s units have finished in the top five in the NFL each of the four seasons he’s been in San Francisco, including this season, when injuries and off-the-field issues ravaged the unit.

Should Fangio get the job, he would promote Donatell to defensive coordinator. Fangio likely also would leave the 49ers if he is bypassed for the position. In that case, the 49ers could promote Donatell to defensive coordinator. They also might consider promoting defensive-line coach Jim Tomsula, another candidate for head coach.

It’s unclear, however, whether Tomsula has interviewed for the head-coaching spot or whether he needs to interview. He served as the team’s interim head coach for one game at the end of the 2010 season.

Shanahan, 62, also coached the Raiders (1988-89), and he was the 49ers’ offensive coordinator under George Seifert (1992-94), a span that included a Super Bowl title. The Denver Post reported the 49ers and Shanahan would meet.

On Monday, a day after parting ways with Harbaugh, York and Baalke stressed they were looking for a “teacher” to coach the team and drew strong allusions to former 49ers coach Bill Walsh.

Shanahan technically falls under Walsh’s coaching tree because he worked for Walsh’s lieutenant, Seifert, and operated Walsh’s West Coast offense. Harbaugh also ran a version of the West Coast system, which would mean that, at least as far as lexicon, there would not be much of a learning curve with a Shanahan-run team.

Ryan, 52, worked for three years in Baltimore with Fangio under John Harbaugh. Ryan also will interview for the Atlanta Falcons’ head-coaching vacancy and is a favorite to win that job.

While they are in Denver, the 49ers also will interview Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase, 36. They already have interviewed Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, 44, and they hope to sit down with defensive coordinators Todd Bowles, 51, of the Arizona Cardinals and Teryl Austin, 49, of the Detroit Lions next week. The Cardinals and Lions are in the opening round of the playoffs and their coaches cannot be interviewed until those games are over.

In accordance to the NFL’s so-called “Rooney Rule,” teams must interview a minority candidate before making a hire. Meeting with Bowles or Austin would satisfy that requirement.

The 49ers also have been linked to Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, Mike’s son and a member of his father’s coaching staff in Washington, and New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. It’s unknown whether interviews have been set up.

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feel free to post away, thanks

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49ers tap former KSU Coach Porter
By Ron Swansonson
January 17, 2015

The 49ers extensive search for their new head coach has finally come to an end. Earlier today general manager Trent Baalke and team owner Jed York introduced former Kansas State head coach DJ Porter as Jim Harbaugh's replacement. Porter's successful career in the college ranks had him near the top of the list of head coaching candidates this year. Porter interviewed for a number of jobs, including Atlanta and Buffalo.

"Ultimately, I decided this was the place for me. Jed, Trent and I have a lot of the same visions and I feel like this could be a great partnership between the three of us." Porter explained at the introductory presser.

Porter will bring a fast paced and aggressive offensive scheme with him as well as a defense that leans on the 4-3 more but shows multiple looks. The 49ers roster currently fits a 3-4 better.

"We're going to focus on getting the best players out there and using their individual strengths to make our team the best it can be." Porter answered when asked about his intended defensive scheme.

York, Baalke and Porter have a number of key personnel decisions to make over the next several months. Reports indicate Porter will focus on the coaching aspect while Baalke handles most of the roster construction.

"We interviewed a number of candidates, we needed this hiring to be right. At the end of the process we both agreed one hundred percent that Coach Porter was the right choice for the future of this team." Baalke explained.

Porter started his career as an offensive coordinator at New Mexico, after two years there he moved on to a head coaching gig at Wyoming, where he compiled a 21-7 over two seasons. In two years at Kansas State he led the Wildcats to a 25-2 record, including a 14-0 National Championship season last year.

"He has the ability to get us back where we were for so many years and where we want to be for the next several." York commented.

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Ventrone retires, joins Pats coaching staff
By Jerry Sawyer
March 3, 2015

Ray Ventrone, whose 49ers season ended in December with a groin injury, is beginning his coaching career with his first NFL team.

The New England Patriots announced Tuesday morning that Ventrone, who was known as “Bubba” during his two seasons with the 49ers, has joined Bill Belichick’s staff as an assistant special teams coach.

The Patriots promoted Joe Judge to special-teams coach after Scott O'Brien announced his retirement following the Patriots' Super Bowl victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

Ventrone, 28, was second on the 49ers in special-teams tackles in 2013. Last season, he appeared in just eight games. Ventrone originally signed with the Patriots as an undrafted rookie from Villanova in 2005. He played three seasons with the Patriots.

During his nine-year NFL career, he also played for the New York Jets for one season and the Cleveland Browns from 2009 to 2012. Ventrone was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent with the 49ers this offseason.

[kc2135]

Following, I'm just pissed I have to wait until August good luck with this rebuild. Any ideas on what you'll be doing without giving away too much?

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49ers, Jerome Simpson agree to 2 year deal
By Simon Blake
March 5, 2015

Former Viking Jerome Simpson has agreed to a 2 year deal with the 49ers. Simpson was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2nd round (46th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft.

He played for the Bengals through 2011, totaling 71 receptions for 1,004 yards and seven touchdowns. In two seasons in Minnesota he caught 74 passes for 1,000 yards but only scored once.

Simpson is expected to compete for a spot as the team's third of fourth receiver behind Anquan Boldin and Stevie Johnson.

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Darnell Dockett joins 'Niners
By Ron Swansonson
March 5, 2015

Eleven year veteran and three time Pro-Bowler Darnell Dockett signed a two year contract reportedly worth $7.5 million with the 49ers earlier today.

Dockett missed the entire 2014 season with a torn ACL. In ten season prior to that he missed only two games. Aver his career Dockett racked up 40.5 sacks and 349 tackles.

Dockett has some versatility and can play inside in a 4-3 or outside in a 3-4. The 49ers will be looking for players that are useful in both schemes as they make the transition from a primarily 3-4 based defense to new head coach D.J. Porter's preferred 4-3 based scheme.

Dockett says he is 100% and is looking forward to the opportunity. Arizona and San Francisco play twice per season as NFC West division mates.

Dockett is expected to compete for a starting position and be a key part of the rotation regardless of the outcome.