Hiring Walsh could be offensive to 49ers

Sporting News, The, Feb 5, 1996 by Bob Glauber

Let me say this first about Bill The former 49ers head coach is one of the most influential men in the history of professional football, a man whose influence is evidenced not only by the growing proliferation of his famous West Coast offense, but by the dozens of head coaches and assistants who subscribe to his brilliant theories.

Now, let me say this about Walsh: His return to the 49ers as a so-called "offensive assistant" is a huge and unnecessary gamble, a move that smacks of panic in the wake of the team's unexpected playoff loss only a year after a brilliant Super Bowl run.

Walsh, Coach George Seifert and other team executives were all smiles last week when they announced that the Hall of Fame coach was rejoining the staff. But it won't be long before his presence casts a menacing shadow over the team. Actually, it already has.

Both Seifert and Walsh say the position does not involve a fundamental shift in the coaching structure or the team's front-office setup. Walsh says he will not call plays, but will be involved in game-plan strategy with offensive coordinator Marc Trestman.

"I have some expertise and experience that I can convey," says Walsh, the 49ers' head coach from 1979 through '88. "This is much the same as (former Chargers coach) Sid Gillman working on Dick Venneil's staff with the Eagles. At this stage of my life, I'd prefer to be a teacher and a resource. This is a nondecision-making role."

Seifert, who only four years ago was so adamant about not allowing Walsh back that the two engaged in a heated argument, now says he is "revitalized" by the hiring.

"It's an exciting time for myself," Seifert says. "It's important to eliminate any skepticism that this move might create. Four years ago, I might not have been able to handle it. But I look forward to working with Bill. We need a resource for Marc Trestman, and this is the right time and the right place. I think it's something that will help us."

The 49ers' offense occasionally struggled under Trestman, who inherited the offensive coordinator job from Mike Shanahan after Shanahan became the Broncos head coach last year. But Seifert says th Walsh is "not an indictment of Marc Trestman. Occasionally, your ego is going to be bruised in this business, but it's something you have to handle. To have another resource can do nothing but enhance the team. We'll do whatever we believe is necessary."

But the potential for conflict -- even the appearance of conflict -- creates a needless risk. Imagine, for instance, if the offense sputters early in the season, something that was not uncommon even during the 49ers' super Bowl years. Trestman's authority would be eroded, creating a sense of chaos and doubt that would further stifle the offense.

Walsh says Trestman ultimately will be responsible for the offense. But I guarantee Walsh won't sit idly by for long and perhaps could join Trestman in the coaches box or even stand on the sideline during games. And who knows? Perhaps Walsh will lobby for more power, a possibility that would do little to enhance Seifert's standing with the players.

Clearly, the 49ers' offense is in need of help. But I would suggest that hiring a capable tailback, fullback and another quality offensive lineman or two is a far more palatable solution than hiring a man who bas been away from the NFL for seven years and whose presence would do more to exacerbate the problems than fix them.

Dung jumping

Under ordinary circumstances, a new head coach faces a major rebuilding job that requires at least three years of roster upheaval. Not so for Tony Dungy. In fact, Dungy inherits a Bucs team that is no more than two years away from becoming a playoff team. It could even happen this year.

"I'm very much looking forward to the opportunity," says Dungy, who finally gets his long overdue shot as a head coach. "I think there are some good things going on here (with the Bucs)."

You won't get any argument from Dolphins Coach Jimmy Johnson, who thought long and hard about the Bucs before signing with Miami. Unlike the Dolphins, a veteran team with huge salary-cap problems, the Bucs are young, reasonably talented and cheap.

"Jimmy told me that if he looked at the Dolphins and Tampa on paper, he would have taken the Tampa job because of the roster," says Dungy, who has four picks among the first 41 in this year's draft. "But he had a lot of other factors that convinced him to take the Miami job."

The Bucs' talent base is solid on both sides of the ball, with one very notable exception. Quarterback Trent Dilfer is the biggest question mark, a player who spells the difference between reaching the .500 mark and getting over the top and into the playoffs.

But if Dungy, whose patience is perhaps his biggest asset, can nurse Dilfer through the perilous waters of his apprenticeship, the Bucs can be an immediate playoff factor. If not, then the endless wait for postseason life continues.

Coming up short

Couldn't help but feel a strong sense of disappointment about the outcome of this year's Hall of Fame voting. While it was gratifying to see former Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, former Cardinals tackle an dorf, and former Cowboys cornerback Mel Renfro get in, I have to question why several others were overlooked.