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When the 49ers named Al Everest to lead its special teams unit on January 14, 2007, the team gained an experienced, fiery mentor in the classroom and on the field. Most recently, Everest served as the New Orleans special teams coach from 2000-05. Everest brings 35 years of coaching experience with him to San Francisco, and in that span has also spent valuable time as an educator around the world. The combined experience of teaching and coaching was exactly what Head Coach Mike Nolan sought when filling the position this past off-season. Al brings a tremendous amount of experience to our coaching staff, Nolan said. His special teams units were extremely successful while he was with New Orleans. The Saints were among the leaders in just about every category during that time. Al is excited to join the 49ers, and I am equally excited about having him on board. Everest has achieved success as a college player and as a coach in the National Football League, European professional football, and collegiate football and baseball. In San Francisco, his classic approach to teaching and excelling in fundamentals will give the 49ers special teamers, including standout K Joe Nedney and efficient P Andy Lee, a fresh perspective.
I’m not here to reinvent football, but I’m here to teach them how to be better football players, Everest said about his coaching philosophy. Our job is to give them the tools to win battles. I take pride in thinking that when they leave, they say, ‘I appreciate you making me a better football player.’ Everest has done just that with many levels of talent both polished and raw. Everest’s last NFL stop was with the Saints, where he served in the same capacity from 2000-2005. Everest established a top-notch special teams effort in New Orleans, coaching three Pro Bowlers during that span while receiving the 2002 NFL Special Teams Coach of the Year award, one that was voted on by his coaching peers. Most recently in 2005, punter Mitch Berger ranked fourth in the NFL with a 38.7 net punting average after hitting 71 punts for 3,066 yards. | 