Long-time secondary coach and defensive coordinator Tim Lewis will replace Ed Donatell as the 49ers’ defensive backs coach, FOX Sports reported today.
Secondary coach had been one of the last vacancies on Jim Tomsula’s staff. In addition, FOX reported that Clancy Pendergast, a former defensive coordinator for the Cardinals, will serve as inside linebackers coach. He will work in conjunction with Jason Tarver, another one-time coordinator, who will coach the outside linebackers.
Pendergast, 47, was Arizona’s defensive coordinator from 2004-08 and the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator the year after that. He ran Cal’s defense from 2009-12 and USC’s in 2013. He was out of football last year but interviewed for the recent coordinator opening in Washington that eventually went to Joe Barry. His addition brings the number of 49ers’ assistants with defensive coordinator experience to four: Lewis, Pendergast, Tarver and Eric Mangini.
Lewis, 53, is a former defensive back who played for the Green Bay Packers from 1983 to 1986. He became the Steelers’ defensive backs coach in 1995, working his way up to defensive coordinator in Pittsburgh from 2000-03. He also served as the Giants defensive coordinator (2004-06) before becoming defensive backs coach with the Panthers (2007-08), the Seahawks (2009) and most recently the Falcons.
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Donatell, meanwhile, received high marks during his four-year stint as 49ers’ defensive backs coach. The team led the league in interceptions this past season and tied for the league lead in takeaways in 2011. He and former 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio are now with the Bears.
The 49ers have yet to announce any of their hires. However, the staff is believed to be composed like this:
Head coach: Jim Tomsula
Offensive coordinator: Geep Chryst
Quarterbacks coach: Steve Logan
Offensive line: Chris Foerster
Assistant offensive line: Eric Wolford
Wide receivers: Unknown (Ronald Curry possible)
Running backs: Tom Rathman
Tight ends: Tony Sparano
Defensive coordinator: Eric Mangini
Secondary: Tim Lewis
Outside linebackers: Jason Tarver
Inside linebackers: Clancy Pendergast
Defensive line: Scott Brown
Assistant defensive line: Aubrayo Franklin
Special teams coordinator: Thomas McGaughey
Read Matt Barrows’ blogs and archives at www.sacbee.com/sf49ers.
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