Chryst had been kept on the staff in an unspecified role since Jim Tomsula was hired as head coach and, after previously serving as San Francisco's quarterbacks coach, seems to have been a fall-back option for a franchise unable to acquire its top targets.
Few will be inspired by Chryst being given the reins to an offense that struggled markedly in 2014 and many will consider the decision to be another sign that this team is set for a significant downturn. However, it is way too early to make such an assessment at this point, so let's take a look at the complete coaching staff as it stands at the moment to get a clearer picture of where the 49ers stand.
Head Coach: Jim Tomsula - We've heard all the negatives about the promotion from defensive line coach and his lack of head coaching experience, but the main question over Tomsula surrounds whether his undoubted motivation skills and likeability will be enough to get results. The general consensus is that the players were excited for coach Tomsula, now his task is to get them to execute consistently.
Offensive Co-ordinator: Geep Chryst - I and most others labelled the offensive co-ordinator position as the most important hire of the offseason. The 49ers have hardly hit a home run here with Chryst, who looks to have been turned to after San Francisco missed out on the likes of Adam Gase and Rob Chudzinski. Chryst struggled with a dreadful San Diego Chargers team in his only other OC stint, but does at least have the advantage of familiarity with Colin Kaepernick and the terminology of the offense.
Quarterbacks: Steve Logan - Logan has already taken a bit of heat for a quote in which he indicated he would take a mobile quarterback over an accurate one. His words have been taken out of context and blown out of proportion and Logan - despite being out of football for three years - has masses of experience coaching quarterbacks including David Garrard and Matt Ryan, who won the Golden Arm award for outstanding senior quarterback at Boston College under Logan's tutelage. Logan also is very familiar with Tomsula having served as his offensive co-ordinator at the Rhein Fire in 2006.
Offensive line: Chris Foerster - Foerster returns to his old post as the 49ers' O-Line coach after being replaced by Mike Solari in 2010. Said to be skilled at coaching stretch-running schemes, Foerster will be assisted by Eric Wolford.
Tight Ends: Tony Sparano - Sparano is the closest the 49ers have come to a home-run hire. A passionate and highly experienced coach who went close to getting the Oakland Raiders head job on a full-time basis before it was given to Jack Del Rio. Sparano helped reinvigorate the Raiders following the firing of Dennis Allen and was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2008 to 2011. He also has worked with tight ends and offensive linemen for multiple teams and should prove an extremely useful voice to have on the sideline.
Wide receivers: Unknown
Running backs: Tom Rathman - The 49ers legend stays on and will continue to aid the development of Carlos Hyde and coach Kendall Hunter and hopefully Frank Gore. A big boost for an extremely talented backfield.
Defensive Co-ordinator: Eric Mangini - Another hire that was met with little fanfare. Mangini served as tight ends coach for the Niners last season but built his reputation as a defensive assistant with the New England Patriots, becoming the co-ordinator on that side of the ball before taking over as head coach of the New York Jets and later the Cleveland Browns. Despite the disappointment surrounding Vic Fangio's exit, Mangini knows defense and there is no reason to expect the unit to struggle under his stewardship.
Defensive line: Unknown.
Linebackers: Jason Tarver - Tarver, who left his role as outside linebackers coach with the 49ers in 2010, returns after time spent as the defensive co-ordinator with Stanford and the Raiders. He is expected to have some input in terms of play-calling and Tarver's familiarity with the franchise and the job he did with a young Raiders defense that improved last season make this a relatively strong hire.
Secondary: Unknown.
Special Teams Co-ordinator: Thomas McGaughey - Another coach who worked alongside Tomsula in NFL Europe, McGaughey comes over after holding the same role with the Jets prior to Rex Ryan's departure. McGaughey also coached special teams at LSU.
With the 49ers apparently unable to lure their top targets to Santa Clara, there has been much pessimism surrounding this coaching staff, and perhaps some of it is unwarranted. There is plenty of experience on board in the likes of Sparano and Mangini and, with many of the coaches having previously worked with the 49ers or alongside Tomsula in NFL Europe, there should be a strong chemistry in the group.
For me, Chryst stands as the main questionable hire but, although the importance of the offensive co-ordinator hire has been constantly emphasised since Tomsula's appointment, it remains to be seen how significant this move will be for a 49ers team seemingly set to put the focus back on running the ball.
The negativity will continue to reign, though, as on paper this staff looks to be a downgrade on what the 49ers already had in place. Yet, looking at the careers of the coaches hired by the Niners, what needs to be recognised is that San Francisco have brought in guys with a lot of experience - I'm aware of used that word a few times now - at the positions they have been employed to coach.
San Francisco's approach to filling out their staff has been poorly planned. That much has been evidenced by the hires of Chryst and Mangini, who himself looks to have been something of a second option after the Cincinnati Bengals defensive backs coach Vance Joseph was blocked from interviewing with the Niners.
However, that does not mean the 49ers have assembled a bad staff. To the contrary, I feel they have hired a solid group of coaches that should be able to get something out of an extremely talented roster.
On defense I expect no downturn with a respected mind like Mangini at the helm. The big concern surrounds Chryst and the offense. The hire is underwhelming, but for now the best thing is for 49er fans to take a bit of stock and give this overall decent staff the chance to prove themselves with an excellent group of players.
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