49ers add Seely, Tolbert to coaching staff

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Jan. 25, 201149ERS PAGE49ERS VIDEO
The San Francisco 49ers today announced they have namedBrad Seely assistant head coachspecial teams coordinator andKevin Tolbert assistant strength and conditioning coach.Seely, 54,brings 22 years of NFL special teams coaching experience tothe 49ers. Most recently, Seely served as the special teams coordinatorfor the Cleveland Browns from 2009-10 where he worked with WRKR JoshuaCribbs, who earned Pro Bowl selections in each of the last two seasons.In 2009, Seely led the Browns to a league best special teams rankingaccording to the formula comprised by Rick Gosselin of theDallas Morning News. It marked Seelys fifth top-five finish for his special teams units since 1990.Priorto joining the Browns, Seely spent 10 seasons as the New EnglandPatriots special teams coach (1999-08), where he was part of threeSuper Bowl championships. Over the span of his tenure in New England,the Patriots led the NFL in kickoff return average (23.5), were fourthin field goal percentage (83.4) and ranked eighth in punt returnaverage (9.9). In addition, his units registered 11 returns fortouchdowns, including eight on kickoffs, a figure that tied for secondin the NFL over that 10-year stretch. Seely also helped produced atotal of 3 special teams Pro Bowlers (K Adam Vinatieri - 2004, LB LarryIzzo - 2004 and K Stephen Gostkowski - 2008). He also tutored the AFCsleading kickoff returner on two occasions (WR Bethel Johnson2003 andRB Kevin Faulk - 2002) and leading punt returner (WR Troy Brown - 2002).Seelyworked with the Carolina Panthers from 1995-98, where he helped coachan expansion team to an NFC Championship Game appearance in just itssecond season. In 1996 and 1997, Panthers kickoff returner MichaelBates became the first player in 35 years to lead the league in kickreturn average in consecutive seasons, earning two consecutive trips tothe Pro Bowl for his efforts. In 1996, Seely earned Special Teams Coachof the Year honors. He also had the league's best kicker, as John Kasayset a then NFL single-season record with 37 field goals. In addition tothe success of Bates and Kasay, Carolina also boasted one of theleague's top coverage units as the Panthers led the NFL in opponentsaverage punt return (5.4 avg.) and ranked fifth in opponents averagekickoff return (20.1 avg.).Seelybegan his NFL career in 1989 with the Indianapolis Colts, serving astheir special teamstight ends coach for five years (1989-93). Duringhis time with the Colts, he assisted in the development of two Pro Bowlspecial teamers, P Rohn Stark and WR Clarence Verdin. In 1992, theColts had the NFLs top specials teams unit based on rankings by theDallas Morning News.Seely then coached the Jets special teams for one year (1994), and inthat season, New York ranked fifth in the league in kickoff returndefense (19.6 avg.) and sixth in punt return defense (6.8 avg.).Seelyscollegiate coaching career began as an assistant coach at South DakotaState in 1978. He then moved on to become a graduate assistant atColorado State in 1979, before being named the Rams offensive linecoach in 1980. Seely then served as the offensive line coach atSouthern Methodist (1981), North Carolina State (1982), University ofPacific (1983) and Oklahoma State (1984-88).A native of Vinton, IA, Seely earned all-conference honors as an offensive guard at South Dakota State University while majoring in economics and physical education.Tolbertjoins the 49ers after having served under head coach Jim Harbaugh atStanford from 2009-2010. In 2009, he worked as the assistant strength& conditioning coach for the Cardinal before being promoted to headstrength and conditioning coach the following year.Priorto joining Harbaugh at Stanford, Tolbert worked with the Detroit Lionsin 2008 as the teams assistant strength and conditioning coach. Beforemaking the jump to the NFL, Tolbert spent eight seasons (2001-07) atthe University of Michigan as the Wolverines strength &conditioning coach.Tolbertstarted his collegiate coaching career with the University of Miami in1998, serving as the Hurricanes weight training and conditioning coachfor three seasons. Tolbert also spent time as a volunteer strength& conditioning coach with the Philadelphia Eagles (1996-97).Anative of Hempstead, NY, Tolbert graduated from the United States NavalAcademy in 1981 with a bachelors of science degree in physical science.He was a three-year football letterman for the Midshipmen, helping thesquad to a pair of bowl appearances.
Courtesy San Francisco 49ers media services

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