Brent Jones on Bill Walsh: His players respected him, but didn’t like him
Jan 6, 2017 at 10:27 AM
•
Former San Francisco 49ers great Brent Jones, who played tight end for the team from 1987 until 1997,
was on KNBR 680 yesterday. He discussed a number of 49ers-related topics, including the search for a new head coach. The interview and Jones' thoughts on the topic are really intriguing which makes it worth a listen.
One of the more interesting side-topics was a discussion about former great head coach Bill Walsh and his brilliance when it came to motivating and inspire those that played for him. It was a trait that Jones hopes the 49ers can find within a new head coach. Jones knows that it is tough to inspire players that are making significantly more money than the coaching staff. Jones played for two seasons under Walsh.
"Bill Walsh was a genius at motivating different guys different ways," Jones said. "Some guys needed a pat on the backside. Some guys you needed to grab them by the facemask and scream at them. Some guys needed to be reminded that their contract is up. Other guys would need to be reminded that they guy behind you is starting to put pressure on you.
"Bill was a master at figuring out how each guy ticked and what would inspire him. So nobody – under Bill – nobody felt comfortable. That's why nobody was friends with Bill until after he was done coaching and I loved the man. He was great. I'd go visit him at Stanford all of the time, but when he was my coach, I was scared to death of the guy. And most people, they respected him, but they didn't like him at the time."
You can
listen to the entire interview on
KNBR 680.
Walsh is considered to be the greatest head coach in 49ers franchise history and one of the greatest NFL minds in league history. He was the head coach of the team from 1978 until 1988 and brought home three Super Bowl championships during that span. Walsh served as the team's vice president and general manager for three years and then as a consultant for three more. The legendary coach passed away in 2007 at the age of 75.
The 49ers are currently entrenched within a search for a new head coach and general manager following the firings of Chip Kelly and Trent Baalke.
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
Schrager mock draft has 49ers adding 'universally liked and respected' receiver
With only nine days remaining until the start of the 2024 NFL Draft, Good Morning Football's Peter Schrager revealed his first mock draft of the year. While most might expect the San Francisco 49ers to target an offensive lineman, Schrager has the team bolstering its wide receiver corps with an SEC talent.
Schrager has the 49ers using the No. 31 overall pick to select former Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey, whose 2023 campaign with the Bulldogs was limited by back and ankle injuries.
"McConkey in the first round? Yes," Schrager wrote. "Above guys like Troy Franklin and Keon Coleman? Perhaps. I've spoken to a
Two reported 49ers pre-draft visits didn't end up happening
Despite initial reports, two draft prospects who were set to visit the San Francisco 49ers ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft ultimately did not meet with the team. Matt Barrows of The Athletic revealed that former USC wide receiver Brenden Rice and former Oregon safety Jamal Hill didn't end up visiting the Bay Area organization.
Barrows wrote, "Meanwhile, a report in March indicated that USC receiver Brenden Rice, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, would visit the 49ers, but he didn't end up coming, according to two league sources."
Justin Melo of The Draft Network first
Tom Brady 'not opposed' to NFL return with a playoff-bound team like the 49ers
Just when you thought the San Francisco 49ers and Tom Brady storylines had concluded, the future Hall of Fame quarterback drops another tidbit that sparks discussion. During an episode of "DeepCut with VicBlends," the host asked Brady what he would do if the NFL came calling once again.
VicBlends inquired if Brady would consider returning to the football field if a playoff-bound team like the 49ers needed him.
"I'm not opposed to it," Brady said, per Jordan Mendoza of USA Today. "I don't know if they're gonna let me if I become an owner an NFL team. I don't know, I'm always gonna be in good shape, always be able to
49ers local pro day: These 44 players will work out in Santa Clara
The San Francisco 49ers are holding their local pro day today at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. The team has released the full roster of participants.
An NFL local pro day is an event hosted by teams to allow prospects with ties to the local area to showcase their skills in front of team personnel. These prospects typically hail from nearby colleges or have some other connection to the region where the team is based. Head coach Kyle Shanahan, general manager John Lynch, and a contingent of coaches, executives, and scouts will be on hand to evaluate prospective draftees during the 49ers' local pro day.
The event aims to give the team a closer look at these local talents who may have received less attention during the regular scouting process. It will allow the
