Matt Millen rumored to fill GM role in San Francisco
After being blamed for much of the Lions' problems, Millen may get another chance
By Ken Vartabedian - print article
April 1, 2010 | 6:44 a.m.
Former Lions GM Matt Millen (AP)
DETROIT, Mich. -- The 49ers are rumored to have hired Matt Millen as the General Manager effective April 24th, 2010.
Millen, the former Lions GM from 2001 to 2008, and his agent were unavailable for comment.
According to sources close to the situation, the agreement is being held secret until the completion of this year's draft. Reportedly, both sides agreed that having Millen come aboard just weeks before the draft would be too disruptive.
Millen would assume the role vacated by Scot McCloughan, who reportedly left due to problems of a personal nature that the 49ers have yet to disclose.
Millen comes to the 49ers after a much-maligned stint in Detroit presiding over some of the worst years in Lions' franchise history. His 31-84 record was one of the worst stretches in NFL history over that span and he presided over the first 0-16 team in NFL history.
But Millen does have a history with the 49ers, playing linebacker for the team in 1989 and 1990 before finishing his career in Washington. This may have been part of the draw for Team President Jed York.
"Jed (York) and (Vice President) Paraag (Marathe) are really going on out on limb here, but it's a limb they think is strong," said one source. "When Paraag applied his unique analytics to Millen's drafts, the story was much different than the public perception. I think that had a lot to do with the hire. It also didn't hurt that Millen connected the team to the glory days."
The former Penn State standout was an NFL linebacker from 1980 to 1991 with the Raiders, San Francisco 49ers and Washington ********. He went to the Super Bowl four times, winning Super Bowl XXIV with the 49ers.
april fools joke? please? PLEASE?
