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San Jose Mercury

49ers weigh campsite switch

February 21, 2003

CONCERNS WITH PACIFIC; ERICKSON'S STAFF GROWS
By Dennis Georgatos
Mercury News
A decision is expected in a week or two on whether the 49ers will continue to hold training camp at the University of the Pacific in Stockton or move it to their Santa Clara practice facility.
The 49ers are midway through a 10-year deal with Pacific. General Manager Terry Donahue declined to say Thursday whether the team would have to pay a buyout if the contract is terminated. He said team officials have been in discussions with the school and plan at least one more meeting before a decision is made.
``We have a number of concerns; they have a number of concerns,'' Donahue said, declining to be specific. ``There are some things we need to get squared away. We're exploring the possibility of trying to make some things better.''
The 49ers have been unhappy over a shortage of office space and what they perceive as declining cooperation from the university, team sources said. Concerns also have been expressed about the condition of the practice fields and logistical problems associated with providing for player security on an open campus.
Pacific Athletic Director Lynn King did not return a phone call seeking comment.
``We're not looking for a better deal to go elsewhere,'' Donahue said. ``If we don't go back to Stockton, we're going to have training camp at our place.''
• While Donahue is in Indianapolis this week for the NFL combine, Coach Dennis Erickson is staying behind to try to round out his coaching staff.
That process figures to accelerate with the hiring Wednesday of Mike Riley to succeed Erickson as Oregon State's coach. Erickson left the school last week to become the 49ers' coach, replacing the fired Steve Mariucci.
Al Simmons, Oregon State's secondary coach the past two years, was hired by Erickson on Thursday. Simmons will assist 49ers secondary coach Brett Maxie, focusing primarily on cornerbacks.
Beavers assistants Gregg Smith and Tim Lappano also are expected to join the 49ers after Riley edged them for the Oregon State job. Smith is expected to serve as assistant head coach and tight-ends coach; Lappano is expected to be the running-backs coach.
• Terrell Owens' star has found a permanent home at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. The receiver, who lettered in football and basketball at the school during the mid-1990s, will be inducted Saturday into its Hall of Fame.
Owens won't be at the ceremony -- he's attending teammate J.J. Stokes' wedding -- but he has prepared a videotaped message expressing his appreciation.
• The 49ers waived linebacker Alex Lincoln and cornerback Anthony Parker.

Tell us what you think on the new 49ers Clubhouse message board.

CONCERNS WITH PACIFIC; ERICKSON'S STAFF GROWS

By Dennis Georgatos
Mercury News

A decision is expected in a week or two on whether the 49ers will continue to hold training camp at the University of the Pacific in Stockton or move it to their Santa Clara practice facility.

The 49ers are midway through a 10-year deal with Pacific. General Manager Terry Donahue declined to say Thursday whether the team would have to pay a buyout if the contract is terminated. He said team officials have been in discussions with the school and plan at least one more meeting before a decision is made.

``We have a number of concerns; they have a number of concerns,'' Donahue said, declining to be specific. ``There are some things we need to get squared away. We're exploring the possibility of trying to make some things better.''

The 49ers have been unhappy over a shortage of office space and what they perceive as declining cooperation from the university, team sources said. Concerns also have been expressed about the condition of the practice fields and logistical problems associated with providing for player security on an open campus.

Pacific Athletic Director Lynn King did not return a phone call seeking comment.

``We're not looking for a better deal to go elsewhere,'' Donahue said. ``If we don't go back to Stockton, we're going to have training camp at our place.''

• While Donahue is in Indianapolis this week for the NFL combine, Coach Dennis Erickson is staying behind to try to round out his coaching staff.

That process figures to accelerate with the hiring Wednesday of Mike Riley to succeed Erickson as Oregon State's coach. Erickson left the school last week to become the 49ers' coach, replacing the fired Steve Mariucci.

Al Simmons, Oregon State's secondary coach the past two years, was hired by Erickson on Thursday. Simmons will assist 49ers secondary coach Brett Maxie, focusing primarily on cornerbacks.

Beavers assistants Gregg Smith and Tim Lappano also are expected to join the 49ers after Riley edged them for the Oregon State job. Smith is expected to serve as assistant head coach and tight-ends coach; Lappano is expected to be the running-backs coach.

• Terrell Owens' star has found a permanent home at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. The receiver, who lettered in football and basketball at the school during the mid-1990s, will be inducted Saturday into its Hall of Fame.

Owens won't be at the ceremony -- he's attending teammate J.J. Stokes' wedding -- but he has prepared a videotaped message expressing his appreciation.

• The 49ers waived linebacker Alex Lincoln and cornerback Anthony Parker.

Tell us what you think on the new 49ers Clubhouse message board.