49ers notebook: Joe Woods talks Browns job, Coleman expected to play in Super Bowl

The 49ers are expecting to keep most of their key assistant coaches heading into next season following Sunday’s Super Bowl. Though one notable name, secondary coach and passing game coordinator Joe Woods, says he’s undecided.

ESPN reported earlier this month Woods is “on track” to join the Cleveland Browns for a potential promotion to defensive coordinator, though another report from the Minneapolis Star Tribune said San Francisco was expected to make a late push to keep him. Woods’ contract is up after Sunday.

“Really, there’s not going to be a decision made until after the Super Bowl,” Woods told The Bee Wednesday in Miami.

Woods, 49, spent multiple seasons working with new Browns coach Kevin Stefanski with the Minnesota Vikings and has been a key figure in the turnaround of San Francisco’s secondary. The 49ers finished ranked first in the NFL by allowing 169 passing yards per game during the regular season after the team finished 31st in 2018 by allowing quarterbacks a 105.4 passer rating.

“I know Kevin, I have a relationship with him,” Woods said. “Obviously, I think I’ll have a good opportunity to go there, but right now we just really haven’t talked about it. I know there’s a couple guys they’re looking at. We’ll see when the Super Bowl’s over.”

The “late push” by the 49ers to keep Woods would likely include a significant raise from his current salary and the possibility of being a top candidate to replace coordinator Robert Saleh should Saleh get a head coaching job next offseason.

Saleh interviewed for the Browns job before Cleveland landed on Stefanski, and Saleh would be a hot candidate next offseason should San Francisco’s defense remain one of the league’s best in 2020.

“My whole career, I never worried about the next job. I always worried about the job I had,” said Woods. “I always felt like if I did my job to the best of my ability, that things would work out. Honestly, that’s the way I look at it. Regardless of what happens with (Saleh), I feel like I’ll be in the right position.”

General manager John Lynch didn’t offer specifics about Woods’ status heading into next season during his scrum with reporters Wednesday.

“Joe Woods is coaching for us this Sunday and that’s what we’re focused on,” Lynch said. “Joe’s an excellent football coach, so if some opportunities come his way, they come his way. But Joe’s fully focused on this task and he’s been another guy who’s been tremendous for us.”

Tevin Coleman expected to play in Super Bowl

Running back Tevin Coleman was upgraded to limited in the first practice of the week Wednesday in Miami after not participating last week in Santa Clara following his shoulder dislocation in the NFC title game.

Coleman joined linebacker Kwon Alexander (pec) and safety Jaquiski Tartt (ribs) as limited participants while all other members of the active roster practice at the University of Miami, according to a pool report from Jenny Vrentras of Sports Illustrated.

“They all got to go,” Kyle Shanahan said. “I’m expecting them to be good by Sunday.”

Coleman started in the conference championship after running for 105 yards and two touchdowns in the divisional round against the Vikings. Another of San Francisco’s running backs, Raheem Mostert, had a record-setting 220 yards and four touchdowns against the Packers the next week.

And despite Mostert leading the team with 772 rushing yards and eight touchdowns during the regular season, he didn’t start any games. Coleman made 11 starts while rushing for 554 yards and six touchdowns.

Shanahan was asked how he decides during the week which running back will be featured on Sundays.

“Running backs in this league take a beating,” Shanahan said. “So you always want to watch them throughout the week, just how their legs are, how smooth they’re running. We’re not tackling or anything out there, but how much do they press their blocks, how much do they hit the right hole? How much can they do at full speed without having to slow down or coming to a stop to make cuts.”

The 49ers were the NFL’s only team this season to have three running backs rush for at least 500 yards, which has been crucial in making their rushing attack one of the league’s most dynamic.

“Our guys are so very similar and they all could be our number one back at any time that’s not as stressful as a decision as you guys would think as it is for us because they’ve all done such a good job,” Shanahan said.

▪ The 49ers practiced in helmets and shells as they worked on early-down installations, as they would during a typical Wednesday during the regular season.

Shanahan told the pool reporter the grass at the University of Miami’s practice facility was in good condition. The 49ers paid to have the field resurfaced before arriving this week after the team deemed it “unsafe” when members of the organization flew across the country to inspect it before the NFC Championship.

▪ For the Chiefs, defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf), tight Travis Kelce (knee), center Austin Reiter (wrist) and tight end Deon Yelder (achilles) were all full participants in their practice at the Miami Dolphins’ facility.