Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: The all-time team in franchise history

By Peter Panacy

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 06: Edward DeBartolo, Jr. (3rd R), former San Francisco 49ers Owner, is seen with his bronze bust alongside former San Francisco 49ers, Charles Haley (L), Steve Young (2nd L), Ronnie Lott (3rd L), Jerry Rice (2nd R) and Joe Montana (R) during the NFL Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 06: Edward DeBartolo, Jr. (3rd R), former San Francisco 49ers Owner, is seen with his bronze bust alongside former San Francisco 49ers, Charles Haley (L), Steve Young (2nd L), Ronnie Lott (3rd L), Jerry Rice (2nd R) and Joe Montana (R) during the NFL Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers former defensive end Charles Haley (center) poses with Steve Young, Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers former defensive end Charles Haley (center) poses with Steve Young, Denise DeBartolo York, Eddie DeBartolo Jr., Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Jed York and Ronnie Lott during halftime ceremony at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers former defensive end Charles Haley (center) poses with Steve Young, Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers former defensive end Charles Haley (center) poses with Steve Young, Denise DeBartolo York, Eddie DeBartolo Jr., Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Jed York and Ronnie Lott during halftime ceremony at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Niner Noise takes a detailed look at the legendary history of the San Francisco 49ers and comes up with a list of the greatest ever on the red and gold’s all-time team.

The San Francisco 49ers have been fortunate enough to have one of the most storied franchises in the history of professional sports. Dating back to the team’s inception in 1946, the 49ers brand has been associated with some great names and plenty of Hall of Fame athletes.

NFL lore is filled with accolades and tales of quarterbacks Joe Montana, Steve Young and Y.A. Tittle, wide receiver Jerry Rice, the pass-rushing Charles Haley, defensive back Ronnie Lott and many, many more.

The list is almost too long to accumulate.

Niners Nation takes a pause to look back at many of those San Francisco greats, their accomplishments and why each player fits into the franchise’s all-time team.

We break it down position by position with some of the best starters, and immediate backups, to generate this legendary list.

Enjoy!

The Coaches

Head Coach: Bill Walsh

Offensive Coordinator: Jim Harbaugh

Defensive Coordinator: George Seifert

A simple no-brainer, as far as coaches are concerned. The late Bill Walsh was instrumental in ensuring the 49ers would rise from mediocrity in the late 1970s to a dynasty in the 1980s.

Walsh was instrumental in developing the West Coast offense and built it to perfection during his tenure as San Francisco’s head coach from 1979 to 1988.

His hand-picked successor was former defensive coordinator George Seifert, who picked up right where Walsh left off and continued to helm the team until 1977.

Former head coach Jim Harbaugh gets the nod as the 49ers honorary offensive coordinator, despite never serving at the position, largely due to his ability to turn what was a lackluster, under-performing Niners team around in 2011 and leading them to three consecutive NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl appearance.

That accolade is nearly impossible to do regardless of the level of talent.