The San Francisco 49ers have announced the appointment of Ethan Waugh as personnel executive. News of the expected addition was first reported last week by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2.
The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown.
Waugh enters his 19th season with the 49ers and his first with the team since 2021 when he served as vice president of player personnel. Prior to rejoining the 49ers, Waugh served as the Jacksonville Jaguars assistant general manager for three seasons (2022-24) where he helped oversee all aspects of the player personnel department and team construction through contract negotiations, daily roster moves, free agency, the draft process and coaching hires.
Prior to his tenure in Jacksonville, Waugh spent 18 seasons (2004-21) in various roles in San Francisco's personnel department. He spent one season (2021) as vice president of player personnel, overseeing the daily operations of the college and pro scouting staff. In addition, Waugh served as director of college scouting and football systems for three seasons (2018-20) and a senior player personnel coordinator for three seasons (2015-17). He also spent three seasons (2012-14) as the team's senior personnel assistant. Waugh began his NFL career as scout, serving four seasons (2008-11) as the team's midwest regional scout after joining the team as a personnel assistant (2004-08).
Waugh originally joined the 49ers after spending two seasons at Illinois Wesleyan University, where he served as the offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator. Prior to his time at Illinois Wesleyan, Waugh served as an assistant at Western Carolina University (1997-2001). Waugh graduated from Lawrence University in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in history and later earned his master's degree in American history from Western Carolina University in 1999.