INDIANAPOLIS — Legendary running backs coach Bobby Turner plans to take a one-season break from his duties with the 49ers.
And that is what the 49ers envision, too.
“Bobby makes it very clear, he’s coming back and we make it very clear that he is always welcomed,” 49ers general manager John Lynch said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine.
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The 49ers hired former Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn to serve as assistant head coach/running backs coach in anticipation of Turner stepping away for a season after undergoing “a couple” scheduled surgeries.
“He did one (surgery) last year, and felt rushed with the rehab and all that and really wants to take care of it,” Lynch said of Turner.
Turner, 72, is a legendary assistant coach and a key to the successes both Mike Shanahan and Kyle Shanahan have experienced with their running games.
Turner is known for his meticulous evaluation of draft prospects, including constant phone calls to check up on incoming rookies in the weeks leading up to the NFL draft.
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He often gets big production out of under-the-radar draft prospects, such as Elijah Mitchell. In 2021, Mitchell became the fifth different leading rusher for the 49ers in the five seasons in which Turner served as running backs coach. Carlos Hyde, Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson were the others.
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This year, Turner is taking a step back from his diligent draft research.
“He’s not calling the running backs 442 times, seeing who answered, and, ’It took six rings for this guy to answer,’” Lynch said, laughing.
“He’s very good at it, too.”