San Francisco 49ers DC Search: Latest Rumors, Speculation on Vacant Position

The San Francisco 49ers have had one of the NFL's most feared defenses in recent years, but the team's coordinator in that span, Vic Fangio, won't return to the team in 2015. Eric Mangini has reportedly been named the team's new DC.

Continue for updates.

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49ers Reportedly Name Mangini DC

Thursday, Jan. 22

ESPN's Adam Schefter repored the 49ers have hired Mangini as their DC:

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport previously indicated the 49ers would meet with Mangini to discuss their defensive coordinator opening.

It's a role Mangini, who has held many different positions in the NFL including head coach, has not been in since 2005 with the Patriots.

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49ers Hire Jason Tarver, but Not as DC

Wednesday, Jan. 21

Jim Trotter of ESPN reports the 49ers have brought on former Raiders defensive coordinator as a senior defensive assistant:

Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area provided more details on Tarver's role:

Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee previously reported the 49ers spoke with Tarver about becoming a defensive coordinator:

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The 49ers are interviewing ex-Raiders defensive coordinator Jason Tarver today for their vacant defensive coordinator position, a league source said. Tarver, 40, spent 10 seasons on the 49ers staff, including coaching the outside linebackers from 2005-10.

That means he’s familiar to new 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula -- they worked four years together -- as well as many members of the 49ers defense, including linebackers Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman as well as lineman Justin Smith.

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One reason that Tarver has appeal, as noted by Barrows, is his familiarity with most of San Francisco's key defensive players. He has traditionally run a 4-3 base defense, which runs counter to the 3-4 scheme the 49ers have built their roster around over the last four years. 

Barrows' report came on the heels of Maiocco reporting that Tarver looks looked the odds-on-favorite to become San Francisco's defensive coordinator:

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49ers Look to Replace Fangio

Saturday, Jan. 16

Mark Maske of The Washington Post reports that Fangio won't be part of the new San Francisco staff, as the team promoted former defensive line coach Jim Tomsula to the head job on Wednesday:

However, as noted by B/R's Matt Miller, the 49ers would have a logical reason to make the switch to a 4-3 defense in 2015:

Fangio did an exemplary job calling the shots on defense, beginning in 2011 when he came to the 49ers from Stanford along with Jim Harbaugh. San Francisco experienced an instant turnaround in that span, advancing to three straight NFC title games.

Even when the Niners had a down 8-8 campaign this last year, the defense was still among the league's best. 

Despite key injuries to the likes of linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis among others, San Francisco ranked fifth in Football Outsiders' defensive efficiency ratings.

The results Fangio has produced as a defensive coordinator should garner him some consideration as a head coach candidate. At the very least, he ought to find employment doing his usual, important job for another team.

Whoever succeeds Fangio has big shoes to fill. Since Tomsula isn't a big-name hire in the vein of current prime options like John Fox, he will have his work cut out to bring in a top-notch play-caller to take over a unit that has experienced such steady success.