NFL San Francisco 49ers

Eric Mangini Is Excellent Hire By San Francisco 49ers

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By @bradberreman24

Eric Mangini, NFL, San Francisco 49ers

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

By ultimately choosing long-time defensive line coach Jim Tomsula, the San Francisco 49ers maintained a high level of continuity by promoting from within to replace Jim Harbaugh as head coach. Another member of San Francisco’s coaching staff from this past season will also remain in the fold going forward, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting on Thursday that Eric Mangini has been hired as defensive coordinator. He will reportedly get a three-year contract, for what that’s worth.

Mangini spent the 2014 season as San Francisco’s tight ends coach after serving as an offensive consultant in 2013, but his coaching roots lie firmly on the defensive side of the ball. He had a notable tenure with the New England Patriots from 2000-2005, first as defensive backs coach (2000-2004) and then as defensive coordinator (2005). He then served as head coach of the New York Jets (2006-2008) and Cleveland Browns (2009-2010) , with a 33-47 regular season record (0-1 in the playoffs), before working as an analyst for ESPN in 2011 and 2012.

San Francisco’s defense has finished in the top-10 of the league in both points and yards allowed in each of the last four seasons under former coordinator Vic Fangio, so the cupboard is not bare for Mangini even if defensive end Justin Smith retires. Add in the expected return of linebacker NaVorro Bowman, who missed the entire 2014 season as he worked his way back from a gruesome knee injury in last year’s NFC Championship game, and the 49ers’ defense is in line to be among the league’s best once again in 2015.

Mangini has not had great success as a head coach, just like many members of Bill Belichick’s coaching tree, but it’s also safe to say his two head coaching stints came with two organizations that in hindsight stand out as particularly dysfunctional from the top down. Say what you will about the unwillingness of the 49ers’ brass to make things work with Harbaugh, on the heels of three straight conference championship game appearances, but they are a very well-run football organization otherwise.

Mangini should have a lot of success in his new role, though it is notable that 2015 will only be his second season with the title of defensive coordinator and it is possible his acumen as a defensive mind has been overrated all this time. But if the 49ers have a top-tier defense again next season, and the team returns to the playoffs, I expect to see Mangini resurface as a head coaching candidate.

Brad Berreman is a Columnist/Senior Writer at Rant Sports.com. Connect with him on Twitter or Google +.

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