Niner Noise
FanSided

Comparing 49ers’ rebuild under Bill Walsh to that of Kyle Shanahan, John Lynch

By Timothy L. Miller

Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers with general manager John Lynch (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers with general manager John Lynch (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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Joe Montana #16, Quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers prepares to throw a pass during the National Football Conference Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams on 14 January 1990 at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California, United States. The 49ers won the game 30 – 3. (Photo by Otto Gruele Jr/Allsport/Getty Images)
Joe Montana #16, Quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers prepares to throw a pass during the National Football Conference Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams on 14 January 1990 at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California, United States. The 49ers won the game 30 – 3. (Photo by Otto Gruele Jr/Allsport/Getty Images) /

Bill Walsh’s first step to resurrecting a franchise was to find a competent quarterback that fit his system

While working as an assistant coach with the Cincinnati Bengals, Bill Walsh invented the West Coast offense. Working with what he had, Walsh devised an attack centered around timing, accuracy and intellect.

Once with the 49ers, Walsh’s first priority was to find a quarterback that could execute his offensive system. Two years prior to his arrival, the Niners acquired quarterback Steve DeBerg.

Walsh loved competition and wanted more at the position. The previous regime, giving what would have been the No. 1 overall pick in the 1979 NFL Draft to Buffalo for O.J. Simpson, Walsh selected the QB he wanted in the third round: Joe Montana out of Notre Dame.