It appears the 49ers’ revamped coaching staff won’t include offensive coordinator Mike Johnson, who has reportedly agreed to occupy the same position at UCLA.
The move was reported by Bruin Report Online. UCLA associate athletic director Marc Dellins did not confirm the report this afternoon.
Norm Chow is still officially UCLA’s offensive coordinator, but the former USC and Titans offensive coordinator was in limbo before today’s report surfaced. Last week, Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel did not commit to Chow remaining on the staff (story here). Chow has two years remaining on his contract, which pays him about $500,000 per year. (Update: Tom Dienhart of Rivals.com has reported that Chow is expected to be named Utah’s offensive coordinator).
Johnson, 43, and Neuheisel were both assistants with the Baltimore Ravens from 2006-07. Johnson also has experience in the Pac-10 – he was a backup quarterback at Arizona State (1985-86) and began his coaching career as the wide receivers coach at Oregon State (1997-98).
Johnson has spent two seasons in San Francisco. He was the quarterbacks coach until he became the offensive coordinator this past season when Jimmy Raye was fired three games into his second year with the 49ers.
In the final 13 games under Johnson, the Niners averaged 20.5 points and 314 yards per game. In the previous 19 games under Raye, they averaged 19.4 points and 293.8 yards per game.
Under Mike Singletary, it wasn’t clear how much autonomy Johnson had in formulating a game plan and play-calling. After Singletary was fired, the Niners had 362 yards and scored 38 points (31 by the offense) in a win over Arizona in their regular-season finale.
ESPN has reported the Niners have contacted veteran NFL offensive coordinator Marc Trestman, 54, currently the coach of the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes. Trestman has been an offensive coordinator for the Browns, Cardinals, Raiders and Niners.
Stanford offensive coordinator David Shaw could be a candidate for the position if he isn’t named the Cardinal’s new head coach. The San Francisco Chronicle also reported that Stanford associate head coach Greg Roman met with Jim Harbaugh on Tuesday.
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