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Ranking 49ers Teams over Last 10 Years by Strength

By Chandler Wright

Remember Curtis Holcomb? Neither do I. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Remember Curtis Holcomb? Neither do I. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Over the last decade, the 49ers haven’t been a good football team very much. Which 49ers’ teams shined? Which Niners’ teams disappointed? Below, Niner Noise ranks the top 10 49ers teams from 2005-2015.

Jan 22, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) hurdles a row of photographers after scoring a touchdown during the 2011 NFC championship game against the New York Giants at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Mills/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE
Jan 22, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) hurdles a row of photographers after scoring a touchdown during the 2011 NFC championship game against the New York Giants at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Mills/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE /

Beginning in 2005 was a new era of San Francisco 49ers football.

Head coach Mike Nolan, son of former 49ers coach Dick Nolan, was hired by Owners Denise and John York to restore a once proud franchise. The organization drafted quarterback Alex Smith with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, passing up Cal’s Aaron Rodgers.

Things couldn’t have looked brighter.

Unfortunately, the next six seasons were dreadful. From 2005-2010 the 49ers won a total of 37 of 96 regular season games and never made the postseason. Try as they might, it didn’t seem like the organization cared too much about the product they were putting on the field. The team went through six offensive coordinators, as did quarterback Smith, and it was mainly coaching consistencies that continuously plagued the franchise.

But things finally changed in 2011. The Niners hired the hottest coaching candidate on the market: Stanford’s Jim Harbaugh. It took beating a huge swing and miss by the Miami Dolphins late in the process (they offered him $8 million per season, while the Niners paid him $5 million), but the 49ers did it.

The Walsh disciple seemed destined to lead the franchise back to their glory days, including bringing a version of the West Coast offense with him by hiring former Stanford, and now Buffalo Bills, offensive coordinator Greg Roman.

Dec 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh looks on during warmups before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. The against the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh looks on during warmups before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. The against the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

And Harbaugh really came through in his first three seasons. He lead the 49ers to a regular season record of 36-11-1 from 2011-2013, won five of eight postseason contests (including the 2013 Conference Championship Game) and had the team back in the Big Dance, with their appearance in Super Bowl XLVII vs. the Baltimore Ravens.

After the Super Bowl loss, the 49ers began falling apart slowly. Rumors swirled about a feud between Harbaugh and Niners upper management, namely his broken relationship with general manager Trent Baalke.

Eventually, the Niners and Harbaugh parted ways and that’s what brings us to now.

After one short season of the Jim Tomsula era, Chip Kelly was hired this past January to bring more experience to the Niners coaching ranks. It brings a true excitement to the team’s surroundings. For the first time since the 2014 offseason, fans have hope and can see a bright future.

Before we see what’s next, let’s revisit our past. You have to know where you’ve been to know where you’re going, right?

So, which of the past 10 49ers teams really had the biggest impact on the fan base? Which do you think was the best? Find out next, as Niner Noise ranks the 49ers last decade, team by team. And don’t forget to leave your comments at the end, as well as subscribe for more great Niners content.

Next: No. 10, the 2014 Niners