Having reportedly offered their defensive coordinator job this week to Mike Vrabel, the 49ers seemed intent on moving on from incumbent DC Eric Mangini. Alex Marvez of FOX Sports confirms that today, reporting (via Twitter) that the 49ers have fired Mangini.
[RELATED: 49ers to hire Curtis Modkins as offensive coordinator, Derius Swinton as special teams coordinator]
It’s been a busy day for the Niners, who have reportedly made decisions on their new offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator as well. We also learned this morning that the club is considering its own linebackers coach, Jason Tarver, along with Ravens linebackers coach Don Martindale, for the defensive coordinator position.
A report a few days ago from Marvez suggested that there was a “strong possibility” that Mangini, San Francisco’s defensive coordinator for just one season, would remain with the team. However, as Kelly and the 49ers interviewed other candidates this week and reportedly offered Vrabel the DC job, it became increasingly unlikely that Mangini would be back in any capacity.
Whoever ends up becoming the 49ers’ new defensive coordinator, replacing Mangini, will be faced with a unique challenge. In Philadelphia, Kelly’s Eagles ranked at the bottom of the NFL in terms of time of possession in each of the last three seasons due to their fast-paced offense, which forced the defense to spend plenty of time on the field.
Mangini’s 49ers unit, meanwhile, lost several key contributors prior to the 2015 season and ranked 29th in the NFL in yards allowed per game (387.4), finishing outside the top 25 against both the run and the pass.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Dude did this best with what he had. Not his fault he lost like 4 of his best players then health didn’t help him. For the most part the d isnt great but it wasn’t bad either.
I agree with you. Our defense wasn’t good at all but what was he suppose to do with what he had? Constantly dealing with injuries and all the players that left. I feel the players that were there would’ve done better with another year under Mangini. Don’t like this decision at all. I’m not sure why we always let good CBs leave and never get a good one in FA or draft. Trent needs to get it figured out. We need a CB in the draft, we need to fix out O Line BADLY and we need to get at least one D Lineman. I like out LBs, I like our RB situation and if we bring back Boldin I’m happy with our WRs.
To be fair last season should be known as the exodus for the 49ers. They lost everyone. All their best players retired. To blame coaches is misguided. York knew everyone was leaving, that’s why he hired a development head coach and did my do anything to try and replace the departing players.
*did not do anything*