NOOOOOOO!

Matt, what is the story on Jag? What kind of offense does he run, and how do our players fit his scheme? It also seems like commitment might not be his strong suit.

Good point, it's so rare for a coach who's already employed to explore other options. Might want to avoid this guy.

I'm hoping you're getting the sarcasm, because I'm laying it on pretty thick...

Don't know anything about the guy other than his offense was ranked 9th in 2006...

Sarcasm can get you in trouble. One moment you're thinking, "Put him in a body bag Johnny," then you get laid out by the crane kick. Remember, "when done correctly, no can defense." Seriously though, my issues with this guy's commitment level go way beyond this winter. Check him out sometime: No more than two years in one place, two years in ATL, signed on as OC in GB and split after one year to BC, ready to leave BC after two years, see where I'm going here? Coach Sing wants continuity. I know that because I heard him say it. He said, "We need continuity." After I heard that, I put two and two together and determined that he wants continuity. That means he wants someone who will stay a while, you know... for continuity.

So even though McCloughan was very familiar with him, they expressed ZERO interest in interviewing him prior to the Linehan proposal. Awesome, sounds very promising.

So you're saying they're looking for continuity?

hi matt
how about bill musgrave he has alot of history in san fran?
or denny green what has he been doing?
the best but i dont think sing will go for it is chris petersen from boises state.that guy is a trip.

Yeah, I heard it is somewhere on their list.

He's a decent option...much better than Chud. He's a candidate to be another one and done though.

I can say a few things about him. First is he is well versed in the west coast offense. Second his brief time as an OC in the NFL was successful. Third he is a student of the zone blocking scheme, in fact he learned it under Alex Gibbs, who many consider the guru of Zone Blocking. Also I don't care about the fact that he wasn't on the list the first time around. Pete Carrol had to practically beg to get the USC job but it sure worked out. The Niners are obviously not happy with the other candidates they interviewed the first go around or one of them would be named. Also I like the fact that he seems to really want the job. My one concern is consistancy. I don't want someone looking to jump ship for a head coaching job in the near future. But based on his merits he should be considered.

The Jeff Jagodzinski stinch....it smells like a Saban or a Petrino does it not? It's putrid and should only be done just to make McDummy happy....that's it.

I'm sure the 49ers like what he did with Matt Ryan A LOT. You cannot overlook how well Ryan did in Atlanta this year and he continually heaped praise on his College coach at BC for getting him ready: Jeff Jagodzinski. BTW – its ABSURD for any of you to think there is a problem with a head coach from the college ranks wanting to get a head coaching job at the pinnacle of the sport: in the NFL.

I got a bad feeling about this. Plenty other westcoast clones out there who would stay longer.

My guess on the Martz firing is that he's the type of coordinator who wants complete autonomy (see Buddy Ryan when he was DC for Bears, or even Holgren and Shanahan when they worked for Seifert - although George Seifert was a big believer in a robust passing game))and though he was very cooperative with Sing, PROBABLY Sing didn't want a long term relationship of walking on eggshells as a head coach. So, a VERY fine and experienced (and exciting) OC was fired. So you think you're gonna get a real good OC who will NOT be a HC prospect if he's very successful? Who dat? (other than Linehan and Martz).

This is the first candidate for our offensive coordinator position that I've been excited about. Make it happen!

for those that think college head coaches shouldn't aspire to get into the NFL are insane. are you guys happy just being a low or mid level employee? no, you work your butt off and try to get up as high as you can. at least i would hope so.

anyway, my biggest concern is why were there reports that he was going to interview earlier then didn't interview, and now is going to interview? is it one of those "oh, i'm in mobile for senior bowl, i may as well talk to these guys" kinda things?

We all know the 49ers cannot continue the revolving door at the OC position. The problem is guys who are good coordinators who are satisfied with only being coordinators are few and far between. It wasn't the case with Holmgren or Shanahan. The facts are that regardless of who the 49ers next OC is, if he does well, he may be a candidate in the coming years for a HC position. Chud has been on teams' radars for HC position. Dennison interviewed for the HC position in Denver. Linehan likely wants to be a HC again. If you want someone good as the OC, you're going to have a real hard time finding one that doesn't want to be a HC. True continuity needs to come from within the 49ers offensive coaches. In other words, if the OC leaves, there is an obvious candidate on the staff to succeed him.

Oh yeah, and one more thing about "run first." I can't believe a smart guy like Sing really believes that. Ultimately, that's a LOSER. See what's happened in just this recent playoff season. When a team that lives by the run CAN"T run in a game, they're usually beaten - Falcons, Panthers and now Ravens (because they're not set up to either beat a team that can stop the run or they can't come from behind), so the best passing teams win (Cardinals, Steelers). OF COURSE, you want to be able to run as well as pass, but it's pass first. ALL the defensive guys who win a lot as HCs know that. Parcells, Belichik, Seifert ALL had teams with huge passing yards. Cowher kept losing in the postseason till he got Big Ben. In the glory days, when the 49ers stopped the other teams running game, they always won. As I recall (and I haven't googled this), I first heard the term "smash mouth" as a way of playing football, uttered by Jerry Glanville, whose teams the 49ers regularly whomped with HUGE scores (like Montana throwing FIVE TDs to Jerry Rice in one game) - remember one year something like 100 - 10 in two games against the Falcons. If Jag is better than Chud, hire him. You've already fired the old guy who no one will hire as an HC. So now there's the younger, very ambitious guy who won't stay if he's a big hit. Well, that's touch. Of course, if Chud is better than Jag, hire HIM. I really don't know my Chud from my Jag, except that six games in a row for Chud without a TD is REALLY a bad indicator.

In spite of what went down at BC I have a pretty good feeling about this guy. I'm sure Jagodzinski 1) Wants another NFL OC job and 2) Would love to get access to the Bill Walsh WCO installation achives, much of which is on video tape at 4949 Centennial. Matt I know there are NFL bylaws which mandate that teams must let their coaches interview for open NFL HC jobs, is the same true for College HC openings or can permission be denied in that instance? If so I'd be willing to gamble that Jagodzinski won't be getting SERIOUS NFL HC consideration for two or three seasons.

I think Kawakami may have a point about Tom Cable. He wouldn't be a bad option-- zone blocking scheme, could use job security, likely won't be on the head coaching radar for quite some time, etc.

So is this officially the bottom of the barrel? Perhaps we should also talk to Hostler. He might be available and he has a history with the 9ers.

It looks like he learned alot in ATL when he was an OLC, the team was 1st place in rushing both years he was there. Though when he was promoted to OC for GB they were 23rd in rushing but 8th in passing. Then he became HC for the BC eagles where Matt Ryan and Gosder Cherilous was produced from possibly their 3rd or 4th year. But that is Matt Ryan, also when on ATL he had Vick, Dunn also TJ Duckett and of course Favre when in GB. Looks like a good choice but alot could be influenced by his players.

Matt- pass it on...Norm Chow! Thankyou.

Dear Idiot,

Do you realize that Matt is not Scott McCloughan?

Love,
Jersey Niner

I have two major issues with this whole thing: First, I just watched a bunch of games the past few weekends where running the football got the Vikings a seat in their living room watching the second round of the playoffs...and where you could've lined up Jim Brown and Gayle Sayers behind the Hogs and not scored 14 points running the ball against the Ravens or Steelers. Listen, I'm all for running the ball more effectively -- that's terrific. That will help. But you had to have your head in the proverbial sand not to notice that a running team wasn't and isn't going anywhere in this era of NFL football. So here's the deal -- find an OC who can instill an "attitude" of toughness and commitment when it comes to running the football; but please, also find a guy who can draw up some plays that get people open. Second, I know the OC search is the hot topic right now. But you better start putting a little more focus on upgrading your QB position too... Again, unless you were sleeping through the playoffs, there's a reason AZ is going to the Super Bowl, and his name is not Edge. Quick show of hands: since you can't run the ball against Balt or Pitt, how many people think Shaun Hill could beat either of them with his passing -- even on his best day? I just felt it was time to point that out since the OC thing seems to have distracted all of us from some of the other pressing issues. Final thought: what the heck is wrong with Norm Chow? Here's why I say that: In an odd way, I actually thought Martz and Singletary were good for each other... MS helped keep MM in check, and MM helped MS move a little bit outside his comfort zone -- that was a positive for both men, as well as the team. In Norm Chow, you'd have a guy who could do something similar for Singletary...but also be more of a "company guy" that would make for a peaceful situation. I think Norm would leave UCLA for this job. And I tell you what, take a look at his history of developing QBs -- something the Niners are going to need again. They could do a lot worse.

Dear Bigger Idiot (aka.jersey niner)-don't you realize it was a joke!?

NJM - The cards are a HUGE exception to the rule. They've got this guy named Fitz who 1could be the best receiver in football right now and a HOF QB. Take Fitzy out and there's NO WAY they even get out of the first round. It's very rare to see a pass first offense succeed, particularly on a consistent basis. Run to set up the pass... unless you have a receiver who can continually catch balls in double and triple coverage.

ARRRGGGH! Settle down with all this run-first, pass first talk. Coach Sing isn't stupid, and he never said he wanted to run the ball to death. He said he wanted a balanced offense that could run when it needed to. The Niners have sucked at third and short for years now (yes, even before Martz), and that is a great way to lose games. If teams know that you can't run for the tough yards, then you will have a much tougher time converting through the air. If your short running game needs to be considered, then play action can be deadly if you use it. Closing out a game you are leading in the fourth quarter can be pretty tough if you can only run when teams don't expect it.

NJM -I concur about Martz and Singletary tempering one another and believe it could have worked but alas...it wasn't to be.I also concur that a vital and innovative passing game is absolutely necessary to balance the stronger running capability alluded to as part of Singletary's vision(and as you say"what the heck is wrong with Norm Chow!). I believe there are a couple of small school QB's which we might pick up in later rounds to address the QB situation- my current favorite being Mike Reilly from Central Washington anyway thanks for the post!

Gee, frustration levels seem to be up a bit this week in the comment sector.

For what it's worth, I think the frustration is legit.

Singletary may be learning the difference between theory and reality with this OC hire. The reason these guys make millions is because there are damn few of them that know what they are doing. Its fine to have a philosophy, but having a philosophy does NOT mean the right person to implement that philosophy is (a) out there, and (b) available, and (c) willing to sign on. Not panic time yet, but I think there is a real risk that we could end up worse off than we would have been with the Singletary-Martz odd couple combination plate. It would be different if Sing were an offensive specialist--but he isn't, and needs experience in the OC position to make up for this limitation. Looks to me like the experience that is available is disappearing rapidly. Being picky about philosophy may be a luxury beyond our means.

yea seriously if you're at 3rd and 1 and you have to pass it's generally not a good situation. The cardinals this year were probably the only exception to this rule because they have kurt warner, larry fitzgerald, and that o line is doing pretty amazing. I almost forgot to mention that edge is picking up some clutch blitz blocks too. but seriously though, the reason why pitts and ari are doing so well is because their defenses are really getting at the other qbs with sacks and ints.

Sing definitely doesn't want to become the vikings, but at the same time, the turnovers were killing us, and that stems from coaching.

KezarMike -- Sorry, had not read your post before posting myself. I ended up looking a little "Biden" (timely reference, eh?). Just getting the time to read the rest of the posts now, so I apologize for essentially repeating many of your points. But clearly, you and I were separated at birth, because we're the exact same page here. The Glanville reference is hilarious, and the "don't know my Jag from my Chud" is a classic line. Great post, man. Shootme -- you missed the point. AZ is not an exception to the rule...it's an "example" of the rule in 2009: run-first teams fizzle, so go out and find your own Warner-to-Fitz combo. Ours was called Montana-to-Rice. NE's is called Brady-to-Moss. Indy's is Manning-to-Harrison... All of these teams have good backs -- but they wouldn't be nearly as good without a pass-to-set-up-the-run approach.

Wow, if you think Martz had an ego, just wait until you see Jagz in action.

I agree with KezarMike and NJM. I don't think Sing and McC are sleeping well at night right now.

The 49ers are now grasping for straws because of the hard headed Singletary! A good front office would reign this HC in and hold him on a short leash. But what can you do with a guy who now thinks he's the NFL Coach of the Year? I mean the front office hired him so fast! What else can he think? After all he won 5 out of 12 games. That's roughly a 40% of his games.
As time goes by, 49er fans who don't know now, will find out Singletary was a BIG mistake!

He won 5 out of 12 games? Last time I checked he went 5-4. I don't know about grasping for straws either. They are interviewing a guy that interviewed for a head coaching position with the jets.

Alot of these so called fans are the same people that gave SF the "whiners " nickname.

While I am happy that the Niners are being methodical and thorough in their search, I'm becoming more than a little nervous that they are gonna miss the boat and be forced to settle for something less or that's not really a fit.

5 out of 12 games? You neeed to lay off the drugs son! You just lost all credibility. Give it a little time and dont press the panic button yet. Lets give this organization the off-season and 6 games before you start to crucify them. I am as frustrated as you and have often debated dropping my season tickets! But lets give them a little time. Its easy to think you know the answers when your at home on the internet or reading the paper, but the fact is this is all pure speculation from inexperienced people. I am going to have faith in what Sing does. I believe through his faith he has a great deal of wisdom which is going to help him become a great coach!

They definately are going to miss the boat. And after they've missed the boat and are left standing on the dock they will definately be forced to settle for something less. A canoe maybe. And that definately will not be a fit - Singletary is fairly wide in the beam you know.
I'm nervous too. But I get nervous if it doesn't rain. Or even if it does rain. But this is so hard on us poor fans. Don't they know what they are putting us through. There are forty six million people out of work in this country and they can't even find one to run the offence. Ridiculous!
But I have a great idea. If they (whoever they is), don't sign a someone by sundown tomorrow and relieve all our anxiety attacks, let's all head to Guyana and commit mass suicide. Just a re-enactment of course. I'll play the role (or as someone here like to say......... roll) of Jerry Jones.
Matt: I haven't heard Vince Lombardi's name mentioned. Do you know if he's available?

Matt, do you have any idea why Chudzinski hasn't been offered the job yet? Sing wants to run, Chud turned 47 year old Jamal Lewis into a 1000 yard rusher. The 49ers have a big, fast, athletic TE, Chud used Kellen Winslow as a devastating part of his offense. There must me something I'm missing about the guy?

Oh come on Razor. They are not whiners. They are just sensitive .......... fellows, getting in touch with their feminine side.

Its funny how you say, they?

Matt,

Why aren't the 9ers even considering Al Saunders for the OC position?

It seems to me like he runs the ball plenty (LJ back to back 1700 yard seasons, plus Holmes 20+ TD's every year) and also throws efficiently (Trent Green, 4000 yards passing like 7 straight years).

Also, he isn't ever considered/interested in becoming a head coach.

Seems too perfect for me.

Jeff Jagodzinski is an excellent candidate for several reasons. First of all, I saw first hand his offense this year when BC came here to Tallahassee and beat FSU. His team "imposed its will" in the 4th quarter running the ball effectively when we needed a stop. He did an excellent job this year without Matt Ryan and got BC to the ACC title game. Last year, Ryan credits him with preparing him for the NFL and praised him throughout the season as a reason for his success.

Second, this guy wants to be an NFL coach. I don't see why it's a problem that he wanted to be at the pinnacle of his profession. That to me says he is driven and will fit in nicely with Coach Singletary.

Finally, NFL teams cleaned house this year with their HC's. There will be very little openings next year (Herm Edwards is the only one whose a lock to be fired). Those openings will go to Shanahan, Cowher and Gruden. Our next OC, unless he turns us into a top 5 offense, will not be in the conversation. He will be with us for at least 2 years (Jagodzinski does
not want to be a college coach).

So, because of these factors, I'm offically on his bandwagon and think he is the top candidate now.

Are you guys serious with the run first/pass first arguments? This year Arizona makes the Super Bowl with a pass happy offense, so therefore it is the only way to go, right? Ummm, best pass offense ever lost the last Super Bowl to a run heavy team, didn't they? The Colts were pretty pass happy, so were the Chargers. They are home just like the run first Vikings and Panthers. Point being, there is more than one way to win. Given that the Steelers are Super Bowl favorites, yet have the 17th ranked passing offense, this is all silly to me. I just want the offense to be effective, whether it is run heavy, pass heavy, or balanced.

Jeff Jagodzinski is an excellent coach but I suspect there is a danger he will be a one and done OC if they hire him. He wants to be a Head Coach and as the NFL becomes a what did you do for me last year league Head Coaches jobs will be available

The Niners are in a bad position with the constantly changing chairs of OC & QB Coach. Seven years lost isn't easy to recover. Until the Niners become a destination for assistant coaches, as it was under Bill Walsh, we will continue to experience this problem. Hopefully Coach Singeletary will pick the right man.

ESPN reported the Niners want an OC who can also develop Alex Smith as Singletary still believes he has potential with a better OLine, receivers, and a good OC. Don't know if that is just ESPN hype chatter, but it makes some sense.

Hey Man those Patriots sure showed us how to win the Superbowl with that fancy passing game of theirs! huh? oh they didn't?/ Hmmm... Well then that Vikings team from a few years ago... they won... uh hmmm The saints then, THEY Must have won the NFC Championship a couple of years back... umm no huh? How many more games would they have won the last 2 years if the offense could have burned up some clock and the defense could have had a fighting chance?
It takes so many things to even get there much less win... Come on guys most of you could probably agree that many of the years the 49er's were the best team in football, but never put it all together when it counted (ala NY/AZ in 07/08). The Niners were far and away the best team in '90 when JEFf HOSTETLER (sp?) scrounged up 5 field goals to rip our collective hearts out.

Matt, what is the story with Jim Skipper RB Coach/Asst HC for Carolina? Also, as far as BC product coming to the 49ers, what are the chance the 49ers get Raji? He looked like a monster at Senior Bowl practice.