Former 49ers fullback Tom Rathman is expected to remain with the organization as running backs coach on Chip Kelly’s staff, a source told CSNBayArea.com.
Rathman, 53, played for the 49ers from 1986 to ’93. He finished his playing career in 1994 with the Los Angeles Raiders.
He took his first NFL coaching position on Steve Mariucci’s staff in 1997. In 2003, he followed Mariucci to the Detroit Lions. Rathman returned to the Bay Area in 2006 and spent three seasons with the Raiders before returning to the 49ers in 2009. Mike Singletary hired Rathman, who was also retained on the staffs of Jim Harbaugh, Jim Tomsula and, now, Kelly.
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Rathman’s coaching abilities were tested last season as the 49ers lined up nine different halfbacks through the course of the season. After injuries to Carlos Hyde and Reggie Bush, Rathman had to get Shaun Draughn and DuJuan Harris ready for game action in less than a week's time for regular-season games.
Draughn was the 49ers’ second-leading rusher with 263 yards on 76 carries. Draughn also caught 25 passes for 175 yards. Harris had a strong finish to the season with 140 yards on 27 attempts. He caught nine passes for 97 yards.