Mora's future with 49ers in doubt
February 12, 2003
By Cam Inman
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
SANTA CLARA - Pleased that the 49ers' four-week search for a coach ended Tuesday, several members of the team expressed curiosity as to what changes Dennis Erickson might make upon his arrival.
Perhaps the one 49ers employee most anxious to find out what's in store is defensive coordinator Jim Mora, one of three NFL assistants who conducted follow-up interviews last week as part of the 49ers' month-long coaching search.
Now that he's lost his candidacy, Mora is in limbo. He's under contract through this season, but he has other opportunities. The Carolina Panthers interviewed him last month to be their defensive coordinator and apparently extended a standing offer to him. Mora, though, may end up in a similar role with the Detroit Lions under former 49ers coach Steve Mariucci.
"I'm looking forward to talking with Dennis Erickson (today)," Mora said Tuesday night. "I have no problem with this whole thing. I was given a great opportunity by Terry (Donahue, the 49ers general manager) and John (York, the 49ers owner representative). I appreciate it. They were honest and forthright from the start. They followed their plan. There's nothing to complain about. I'm disappointed, but I have no gripes."
Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich said it would be disappointing to lose Mora to another team, as did cornerback Jason Webster, whom Mora has worked with very closely the past three seasons.
"I wouldn't have minded at all if he became our (head) coach," Webster said of Mora. "It's been a very different (coaching search), but that's how it is sometimes in this league. ... We'll put our faith in (team president) Peter Harris and Dr. York."
Guard Dave Fiore said he was surprised by Erickson's selection, especially after following the 49ers' publicized pursuit of three NFL defensive coordinators -- Mora, the New York Jets' Ted Cottrell and the Chicago Bears' Greg Blache.
"If he is an offensive coach, he'll probably make some changes and I look forward to those changes," Fiore said.
Although the 49ers have had a West Coast offensive system in place -- and tinkered with it -- the past two decades, Erickson has thrived with a single-back, three-receiver spread formation.
Ulbrich saw Erickson's offensive scheme up close in the 1999 season as a senior linebacker at Hawaii, which defeated Oregon State in the O'ahu Bowl. That was Erickson's first season at Oregon State, and it was the Beavers' first postseason venture since a 1965 Rose Bowl loss to Michigan.
"He runs an exciting brand of football," Ulbrich said. "I remember they sling the ball, open it up and do a lot of exotic stuff. But you never know what his philosophy here may be. It might be a hybrid if he keeps (offensive coordinator Greg) Knapp."
Knapp, who signed a one-year extension last month, did not return a phone call seeking comment. Offensive line coach Pat Morris and quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner also are under contract. ESPN's John Clayton reported that Erickson told him he plans to keep all three on staff.
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