Yes, I am a Niners fan. Did I want to fire Jim Harbaugh? Absolutely not. Yes, the team went 8-8. Yes, Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman were out for most or all of the year. Does Chris Borland deserve major credit? Yes, he is the man. Did the Niners make the playoffs the past three years? Did they finally escape mediocrity? So many questions for a team that somehow hit the panic button this year. My real problem with the Niners is Jed York, but he isn’t going anywhere. Therefore, I think the Niners should create a few more holes, but keep similar faces and bring in one new one. Here are my moves for the offseason:
San Francisco 49ers Offseason Coaching Moves
2015 Head Coach: Vic Fangio
Considering what Fangio had to work with as defensive coordinator in 2014, he did an outstanding job. His team finished fifth in yards given up per game (321.4), 10th in points per game (21.2) and t-5th in yards per play (5.2). With an aging D-line, no Bowman or Willis and Aldon Smith being gone half the year, this defense performed great. By promoting Fangio, it allows a coach who is well-liked to take more leadership and help stabilize this team. While many call for an offensive minded coach, I think Fangio is the best option that the Niners have. And after Jason La Confora reported that the interview between Fangio and the organization went really well, I expect to see him on the sideline in 2015. Here are the following two coordinators I would pick if I were Fangio.
2015 Offensive Coordinator: Chris Ault
Yes, Greg Roman is no longer here. That is because he had so many valuable players and the offense was horrid this year. So, the organization must move on. I was talking to a friend of mine about what the Niners need to do, and he mentioned Chris Ault as a guy who the Niners must have. When I looked into it, I realized he was brilliant. If you don’t know who Chris Ault is, Ault was the longtime head coach at the University of Nevada. Do you see the connection already? Yes, Colin Kaepernick played at Nevada under Ault. Ault is credited for creating the “Pistol Offense,” and helped mold Kaepernick into the quarterback he is today. In college, Kaepernick threw for over 10,000 yards and 82 TD’s while running for over 4,100 yards and 59 TD’s in four years. If anyone can channel Kaepernick’s strengths into the dynamic player he was the past couple of seasons, it is Ault. But where is he currently? Ault is a consultant for the Kansas City Chiefs, so it may be hard to pull him away. However, the Niners should consider reaching out to Ault because the Niners have two very important reasons for him to return to the sideline: the chance to prove his offense in the NFL and the opportunity to reunite with his former college star.
2015 Defensive Coordinator: Jim Tomsula
Although there are rumors that Ed Donatell would become the coordinator if Fangio were to be hired, I would choose Tomsula, a player and organization favorite. He is so well-liked that he is even linked to the head coaching job. In his one game stand as the head coach, he led the Niners to a 38-7 win over Arizona in week 17 of the 2010 season. Tomsula has led the Niners D-line to incredible stats, as during his seven seasons with the team, his defense has allowed 3.68 yards per carry. That is second best in the NFL during the span. This guy can help maintain success on the defensive side of the ball and is also aware of every player’s strengths to make sure they are in the best position to succeed. Tomsula deserves this job and continue Fangio’s success.
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