The 49ers could have blocked the move but opted not to, allowing Hightower to depart head coach Kyle Shanahan's staff. Hightower spent the past five seasons with the 49ers and returns to Chicago, where he spent 2016 as an assistant special teams coach.
Before that, Hightower served in various roles with the 49ers (2015), Cleveland Browns (2014), Washington Commanders (2010-13), Houston Texans (2006-08). Between his time with Houston and Washington, he spent the 2009 season as wide receivers coach at the University of Minnesota.
The 49ers struggled on special teams this season. While they ranked No. 9 in yards allowed per punt return (7.8), the special teams unit also ranked No. 18 in yards per punt return (8.2), No. 23 in yards allowed per kickoff return (23.1), and No. 28 in yards per kickoff return (18.9).
"In 2021, the 49ers were one of three NFL teams to allow a least two touchdowns on special teams," notes Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. "They surrendered a 99-yard, kickoff-return score and 73-yard touchdown run on a fake punt, and they ranked in the bottom half of the league in many major categories."
Hightower, 41, brings his 15 years of NFL coaching experience to new Bears coach Matt Eberflus' staff. He becomes the second coordinator lost by the 49ers in the past year, following the departure of Robert Saleh to become the head coach of the New York Jets in 2021.
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