Singletary adds pass-rush coach and his nephew to staff

Mike Singletary hired a former teammate and his nephew to positions on the 49ers’ coaching staff today.

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.

 

Harris returns to the NFL after a playing career that spanned 11 campaigns with Chicago (1979-84, 86-88) and Philadelphia (1989-90). Sacks have been an official NFL stat since 1982. From ’82 to 1990, Harris recorded 20.5 sacks.

 

“Al Harris’ greatest attribute is as a teacher,” Singletary said in a statement. “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.”

 

Vantz Singletary has been a 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,” Mike Singletary said. “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.”

 

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.

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