49ers To Fire DC Eric Mangini

Having reportedly offered their defensive coordinator job this week to Mike Vrabel, the 49ers seemed intent on moving on from incumbent DC Eric Mangini. Alex Marvez of FOX Sports confirms that today, reporting (via Twitter) that the 49ers have fired Mangini.eric mangini

[RELATED: 49ers to hire Curtis Modkins as offensive coordinator, Derius Swinton as special teams coordinator]

It’s been a busy day for the Niners, who have reportedly made decisions on their new offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator as well. We also learned this morning that the club is considering its own linebackers coach, Jason Tarver, along with Ravens linebackers coach Don Martindale, for the defensive coordinator position.

A report a few days ago from Marvez suggested that there was a “strong possibility” that Mangini, San Francisco’s defensive coordinator for just one season, would remain with the team. However, as Kelly and the 49ers interviewed other candidates this week and reportedly offered Vrabel the DC job, it became increasingly unlikely that Mangini would be back in any capacity.

Whoever ends up becoming the 49ers’ new defensive coordinator, replacing Mangini, will be faced with a unique challenge. In Philadelphia, Kelly’s Eagles ranked at the bottom of the NFL in terms of time of possession in each of the last three seasons due to their fast-paced offense, which forced the defense to spend plenty of time on the field.

Mangini’s 49ers unit, meanwhile, lost several key contributors prior to the 2015 season and ranked 29th in the NFL in yards allowed per game (387.4), finishing outside the top 25 against both the run and the pass.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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