Norton Jr. joins 49ers staff as assistant coach
Ken Norton Jr., who played his final years as a linebacker with the 49ers, will have a big hand in mentoring Reuben Foster, while reuniting with former pupil Malcolm Smith.
Norton on Monday officially joined 49er coach Kyle Shanahan’s staff as the defense’s assistant head coach and insidelinebackers coach.
Norton, 51, was fired as the Raiders defensive coordinator in November, 10 games into his third season under Jack Del Rio.
In other staff changes, former linebackers coach Johnny Holland becomes the 49ers “run-game specialist” and outside linebackers coach. Michael Clay, a former strength and conditioning coach, stays on staff as special-teams assistant. A 49ers spokesman had no comment on the status of Jason Tarver, last season’s senior defensive assistant.
Robert Saleh remains defensive coordinator, the first to retain that title since Vic Fangio in 201114. Eric Mangini and Jim O’Neil preceded Saleh.
Nagy new Bears coach
The Chicago Bears hired Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy as their new head coach.
The Bears announced the move a week after firing coach John Fox, who went 14-34 in three seasons and 5-11 this past season.
The 39-year-old Nagy spent the past 10 seasons working under Andy Reid
in Philadelphia and K.C.
The Bears met with Nagy on Sunday.
• The Cincinnati Bengals hired Teryl Austin as defensive coordinator. Austin spent the past four seasons as Detroit’s defensive coordinator.
Belichick plans to stay
Bill Belichick said it is “absolutely” his intention to return as coach of the New England Patriots next season, despite reports of turmoil involving himself, QB Tom Brady and team owner Robert Kraft.
Belichick said he didn’t have anything to add to a joint statement the three released last week in response to an ESPN report, citing undisclosed sources, that detailed an array of tension.
“I haven’t read the article. I’ve already commented
at length about that situation,” Belichick said. “Nothing has happened since then, so I don’t have anything to add to it.”
Asked about another report of his supposed interest in coaching the New York Giants, the Patriots coach said he is concerned only with New England’s playoff game with the Titans on Saturday.
Concussion review
The NFL and NFL Players Association plan to conduct a joint review to determine if the Carolina Panthers followed the correct concussion protocol with QB Cam Newton in their 31-26 playoff loss at New Orleans on Sunday.
If the concussion protocol was not properly followed, the team is subject to discipline, including a $150,000 fine.
Newton took a shot to the head midway through the fourth quarter, then took a knee as he walked toward the sideline and pointed toward his right eye. He sat out one play, but returned on the next series.
Eagles underdogs
Carson Wentz’s value to the Philadelphia Eagles is reflected clearly in a historic betting line.
The Eagles (13-3) are the first No. 1 seed to be an underdog in their opening playoff game. The sixth-seeded Atlanta Falcons (11-6) are 2-point favorites Saturday.
After Wentz tore his ACL in Week 14, the Eagles went 2-1 with backup quarterback Nick Foles. But the offense was inconsistent.