By MATT MAIOCCO
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Oregon State is set to rehire Mike Riley as its head coach, opening the way for 49ers coach Dennis Erickson to add a couple of familiar faces to his staff.

The Oregonian is reporting in today's editions that Riley will replace Erickson as the Beavers' head coach, just four years after Erickson replaced Riley at Oregon State.

Gregg Smith and Tim Lappano, both longtime assistant coaches under Erickson, are expected to work for the 49ers after both were notified Wednesday they were being passed over for the Oregon State head-coaching job.

"I have to confirm some things with some people here," Erickson said. "I haven't had a chance to speak with them (Smith and Lappano) yet."

Erickson resigned as the Beavers' head coach last week to become the 14th head coach in 49ers history. His appointment ended the 49ers' 28-day search to find a replacement for Steve Mariucci, who was fired Jan. 15.

Smith, 56, who has worked on the same staff as Erickson every season since 1982 at Idaho, will become the 49ers' assistant head coach. He is expected to coach tight ends, a position vacated after the season when Tom Batta decided to turn his attention to scouting.

Smith has been Erickson's assistant head coach during their recent stops, including a four-year stint with the Seattle Seahawks. Smith coached tight ends for two seasons with the Seahawks.

Lappano, 46, was the Beavers' offensive coordinator and also coached quarterbacks. He is set to replace Tom Rathman, who was told last week that his future with the 49ers was contingent on Lappano's fate.

Rathman landed a job the following day with Mariucci's Detroit Lions.

Lappano has also coached with Erickson during most of his career. He was running backs coach with the Seahawks before moving on to Oregon State in 1999.

From 1992 to '95, Lappano worked as assistant head coach/running backs coach under Keith Gilbertson at Cal.

Erickson still needs to fill coaching vacancies at wide receiver, defensive line and special teams. Erickson is not attending the annual NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis as he continues to piece together his coaching staff.

Linebackers coach Greg McMackin and cornerbacks coach Al Simmons have already joined Erickson's staff.

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