[h2]Report: 49ers LB coach Pendergast expected to leave for USC[/h2]
By
Eric Branch
December 31, 2015 Updated: December 31, 2015 7:22pm
Inside linebackers coach Clancy Pendergast will “probably” leave the 49ers to become USC’s defensive coordinator, the
Los Angeles Daily News reported.
Pendergast had wanted to stay in the NFL - and had resisted USC’s recent courtship -- but he’s concerned the 49ers could make offseason changes to their coaching staff, according to the report.
Head coach Jim Tomsula is under scrutiny as the 49ers carry a 4-11 record and three-game losing streak into their regular-season finale against the Rams on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium. Even if the 49ers retain Tomsula, it’s possible they could part with some assistants. On Thursday, 49ers defensive coordinator Eric Mangini was asked if he felt he was in limbo given the uncertainty surrounding Tomsula.
“No. I mean, limbo -- typically you find out what happens pretty quickly,” Mangini said. “… We’ll have some guidance with that I’m sure fairly soon after the season ends.”
Pendergast, 48, was USC’s defensive coordinator in 2013 and had the same role at Cal from 2011-12. Prior to his college stints, he’d spent 15 seasons as an NFL assistant. He was a defensive coordinator with the Cardinals (2004-0
and Chiefs (2009). Pendergast didn’t coach in 2014.