The San Francisco 49ers announced Monday two new positions to the team's coaching staff. Vantz Singletary will serve as the team's inside linebackers coach, while Al Harris has been named as the club's pass rush specialist coach. Jason Tarver will continue to coach the outside linebackers.
"We are pleased to add Vantz Singletary and Al Harris to our coaching staff," said 49ers head coach Mike Singletary. "Both possess the qualities and character that I am looking for to lead our group forward."
Vantz Singletary has been a successful collegiate coach for the past 17 seasons with his most recent stop in 2008 as the defensive tackles coach at Buffalo, where he helped lead the school to its first ever bowl appearance and a 2008 Mid-American Conference title.
His previous assignments were with Tennessee at Chattanooga (2006-07), Hawaii (1999-2005), Southern (1997-98) and Trinity College (1992-96). He has coached numerous future NFL players while they were collegians, including current 49ers defensive lineman Isaac Sopoaga at Hawaii.
"Vantz has had a tremendous career during his many seasons as a collegiate coach," said Mike Singletary. "I am confident that the way in which he has worked with young football players during that extensive experience will translate into success as he embarks on his NFL coaching career."
Vance Singletary, a nephew of Mike Singletary, has also served as a summer intern at NFL camps for numerous teams.
He starred during his playing days as a defensive tackle and linebacker at Kansas State in 1987 and 1988 after spending two All-American junior college seasons at Blinn College in Brenham, Texas.
Harris returns to the NFL after a stellar playing career that spanned 11 campaigns with Chicago (1979-84, 86-88) and Philadelphia (1989-90).
"Al Harris' greatest attribute is as a teacher," said Mike Singletary. "We're excited about the addition of Al because our players will benefit from his teaching ability, in terms of the strategy and methodology of what goes into the pass rush."
