Former USC head coach Ted Tollner has been made the San Francisco 49ers quarterback coach, but is regarded by many as the “assistant to the head coach.” Tollner was the Trojans’ head coach for four years, 1983-1986. During that time he led the Trojans to the Pac-10 conference championship in 1984, including a victory over Ohio State in the 1985 Rose Bowl. In 1986 Tollner was replaced by the late Larry Smith.

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Tollner, who previously worked for the 49ers from 2002-2004, came back on board late in the 2007 season to help the franchise climb out of its statistical hole. The 49ers ranked dead last in the league in both total yards and points. Now its up to Tollner to put humpty-dumpty quarterback Alex Smith back together again. In his short three year career Smith, the 2005 number-one overall draft pick, has been quite a statistic machine. Just not the good kind. Smith has thrown 19 touchdowns to a whopping 31 interceptions, 27 fumbles, not to mention he’s been sacked 81 times.

Good luck, Ted. You’re going to need it.

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