49ers Notebook
February 14, 2003
He admits he wasn't here to golf
Kevin Lynch, Chronicle Staff Writer
University of Washington coach Rick Neuheisel was forced to admit that he talked to 49ers management about their head-coaching vacancy last week.
Neuheisel made the admission after Seattle Post-Intelligencer columnist John Levesque overheard Neuheisel on the phone at San Francisco International Airport, talking about the 49ers' job with his parents.
Neuheisel initially denied having discussions with the 49ers last weekend, saying he was in Northern California to play golf with friends.
"My knee-jerk reaction was to protect an agreement of confidentiality I had with the 49ers," Neuheisel told the Seattle Times on Wednesday. "But the life of the story that has followed has raised the question about who I am. It has questioned something more important, my credibility, and that isn't worth it."
Neuheisel went on to say he was working hard to repair the relationships he damaged.
"As I have explained, we had to maintain a level of confidentiality with the college coaches we were interested in speaking to," 49ers general manager Terry Donahue said in a statement when asked to respond to the Neuheisel situation. "We handled each of them the same. No college coach can be exposed to the media during a search."
RECRUIT UPSET: One of the Beavers' top recruits, quarterback Ryan Gunderson,
was disturbed by Erickson's departure. "He told us that he had already had a taste of the NFL and he didn't really like it," Gunderson told the Bloomberg wire service. "He said he could see himself retiring at Oregon State and that he planned on being there throughout our time there."
Gunderson is planning to stay at Oregon State, however.
STAFF STUFF: New coach Dennis Erickson met with members of the 49ers' coaching staff Thursday, including defensive coordinator Jim Mora.
Erickson is planning to bring coaches from Oregon State. He already said he will bring offensive line coach Gregg Smith, who likely will be named assistant head coach and tight ends coach. Current 49ers tight ends coach Tom Batta has expressed interest in moving to the scouting department. Erickson is also looking hard at hiring Beavers secondary coach and Oakland native Al Simmons, who could be named cornerbacks coach.
Oregon State receivers coach Eric Yarber, if he doesn't stay with the Beavers, probably will be named to the same position with the 49ers, further diversifying the staff -- both Simmons and Yarber are African Americans.
The 49ers would like to retain Mora, who could join Steve Mariucci in Detroit. For Mora to leave, the 49ers would have to release his rights, as he is under contract.
Running backs coach Tom Rathman, who is not under contract, also could go to Detroit.
If current Oregon State offensive coordinator Tim Lappano doesn't replace Erickson in Corvallis, he'll likely be named 49ers running backs coach, with Rathman leaving. Offensive line coach Pat Morris, who is under contract, will probably stay.
TOUGH GUY: Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich broke his scapula and dislocated his shoulder in the second quarter of the 49ers' 31-6 playoff loss in Tampa Bay. Ulbrich, however, finished the game.
After undergoing surgery on his shoulder and knee Monday, Ulbrich has spent three hours daily rehabilitating at the 49ers facility.
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