Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images
Less than a week from the start of padded practice in 49ers’ training camp, a few coaching changes have come to light. The team notably lost defensive backs coach Joe Woods and pass rush specialist Chris Kiffin — as defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, respectively — to the Cleveland Browns this offseason. Both were replaced with Tony Oden and Aaron Whitecotton, respectively.
Now, Miles Austin, formerly an offensive quality control, heads out the door, and longtime offensive line coach Chris Foerster gets a second, full-time chance in the NFL, per NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco and Jennifer Lee Chan, respectively.
Former NFL wide receiver Miles Austin is no longer on the #49ers coaching staff. He served as quality control coach last season.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 12, 2020
BREAKING: The #49ers have hired offensive line expert Chris Foerster.
After two seasons as a consultant, the long time coach has signed a two-year contract with the club.https://t.co/3y2uJS0bxf pic.twitter.com/qA4zmyFNCT
— Jennifer Lee Chan (@jenniferleechan) August 12, 2020
Foerster was infamously seen snorting a white, powdery substance when with the Miami Dolphins and was brought on as a game-planning assistant with the 49ers last season.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan explained why the 49ers initially brought him in as a consultant and game-planning assistant during the 2018 offseason.
“He did something extremely stupid, and since then, he has hit rock bottom,” Shanahan said last August. “He went to rehab for 60 days, and then he was in a 90-day outpatient rehab. For the last two years, he’s been in a 12-step program that he’s been to every single night seven days a week.”
This officially marks Foerster’s third stint with the 49ers as a coach. He was the team’s offensive line coach first from 2008-09 and again in 2015.
To read about the the 49ers’ stellar 2019 coaching staff, click here.