Mora staying as defensive coordinator
February 15, 2003
By Dennis Georgatos
Mercury News
The 49ers didn't give the Detroit Lions a chance to talk to Jim Mora.
Mora, 41, a finalist in the 49ers' coaching search, will remain as new coach Dennis Erickson's defensive coordinator. Friday's move came after the team denied the Lions' request to speak with Mora, frustrating a bid by Coach Steve Mariucci to bring to Detroit the defensive coordinator he worked with while coaching the 49ers.
The Lions had also sought permission to speak with offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and offensive-line coach Pat Morris, who like Mora are signed through next season. Erickson said at his introductory news conference Wednesday that Knapp was being retained, and he said Friday that Morris and quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner also were staying.
However, the 49ers are losing running-backs coach Tom Rathman to Detroit. Rathman, who has spent 14 years with the 49ers as a player and coach, said he signed a three-year contract with the Lions on Friday, a day after Erickson told him he planned to fill his position with someone else.
``I wanted to stay, obviously, but they told me they're going in a different direction,'' Rathman said.
Mora said he's ready to settle into his familiar routine.
``I'm happy to be staying,'' said Mora, who remains in charge of a unit he has helped fashion into one of the league's up-and-coming defenses. ``I think it's a good place for me to be right now. I like the organization. I like Dennis Erickson. I like the players and I know they like me. We're going to be a good team.''
Erickson said the decision was easy.
``He has helped this defense improve each year, and I felt it was best for this team to have Jim remain as defensive coordinator,'' Erickson said.
General Manager Terry Donahue said the Lions were one of three teams that tried to hire Mora.
``I'm just delighted that Dennis and Jim were able to work things out here at the 49ers,'' Donahue said.
With Knapp, Morris and Tollner on board, Erickson maintains a core group of coaches from an offense that set an NFL record by converting 52.3 percent of its third downs last season.
Knapp will continue as the team's primary play-caller, Erickson said.
Morris will remain in charge of a line that includes two Pro Bowl selections in Jeremy Newberry and Ron Stone, and Tollner returns for a second season as quarterbacks coach.
• Cornerback Mike Rumph was acquitted of drunken driving after a four-day jury trial in Miami. He had faced a maximum sentence of six months in jail.
Miami Beach police said they stopped Rumph's car early July 6 after he left a nightclub. According to a breathalyzer test, Rumph's blood-alcohol level was .091 percent. The legal limit in Florida is .08 percent. Rumph also failed field sobriety tests.
Rumph testified that he was sober, saying he had only two mixed drinks in two hours at the club, and the defense attacked the validity of the blood-alcohol tests.
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