New York Giants: 10 Potential Defensive Coordinator Replacements For Perry Fewell

Sep 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebackers coach Jim Leavitt on the sidelines during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. San Francisco beat Dallas 28-17. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Jim Leavitt

Current Position: Linebackers Coach San Francisco 49ers

Leavitt is most known for the coaching job he did at South Florida. Leavitt essentially created that program from the ground up, as he was the first head coach in the program’s history in 1997. By 2001 he already had them at the Division I level, and in 2003 South Florida was already part of Conference USA. In 2005 South Florida hit the pinnacle of the program, reaching their first bowl game ever the same season they joined the Big East Conference.

Alas, all good things must come to an end, and that happened in South Florida for Leavitt. Controversy arose that Leavitt had struck a player during halftime of a game against Louisville in 2009. Leavitt was not truthful about the incident and was eventually fired for his role in interfering with the process of the investigation.

Leavitt was not out of a job for long though, as Jim Harbaugh hired him for his first NFL job in 2011 to coach the linebackers for the 49ers. He has done an outstanding job, as the 49ers linebackers have been one of the most dominant units in the NFL for years. Led by veteran Patrick Willis, the 49ers linebackers are a daunting group that strikes fear into opposing offensive players with hard hits over and over again.

This past season Leavitt really showed off his coaching ability as the 49ers were without mainstays Willis, Navarro Bowman and Aldon Smith for most of the season because of injuries and suspensions. Add to that the fact that Ahmad Brooks production fell off, it would normally make for a disaster.

Even with all those problems, the 49ers didn’t miss a beat, as rookie Chris Borland and third-year player Chris Wilhoite were plugged in and continued the outstanding production from 49ers linebackers.

With coaching turnover expected in San Francisco, there are plenty of coaches that could be available. Leavitt has done a great job with the 49ers’ linebackers, and could be in line for a bigger role with another team. His coaching style would be a good fit along side Coughlin, which is what really matters when finding a new defensive coordinator for the Giants.

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