CSN Bay Area

The list of known candidates for the 49ers’ offensive coordinator position is dwindling after the Indianapolis Colts locked up Rob Chudzinski as associate head coach.

While there might be other candidates whose names have yet to surface, the 49ers have three offensive coaches on their staff who have NFL coordinator experience.

Only one of those three, Geep Chryst, does not have an identified role on Jim Tomsula’s first staff.

Chryst spent the past four seasons as 49ers quarterbacks coach. It’s not known how much involvement Chryst had with the team’s offense over the past four seasons. The last time Chryst’s name was in the news was in connection with “Vernon Post,” the name given to the pass play that beat the New Orleans Saints in the NFC playoffs in January 2012.

From his previous job as tight ends coach/quality control with the Carolina Panthers, Chryst knew of New Orleans’ tendency to play cover-2 in that situation. The 49ers installed the play into the game plan, designed to beat that coverage, late in the week and practiced it from both sides of the team's offensive formation. It worked, as Alex Smith hit Vernon Davis on a 14-yard touchdown pass for the winning points with nine seconds remaining.

Chryst remained on the sideline during games all four seasons and was regularly seen consulting with quarterback Colin Kaepernick between possessions as they looked over snap shots of the opposition’s defense.

Chryst spent two seasons as Chargers offensive coordinator in 1999 and 2000 under Mike Riley. The 1999 team ranked 28th in points and 26th in total yards. Jim Harbaugh and Erik Kramer started 12 and four games at quarterback, respectively. The team averaged 3.0 yards per rushing attempt in each of his two seasons as coordinator. In 2000, the Chargers finished 26th in points and 28th in total yards in quarterback Ryan Leaf’s rookie season.

The other assistants on the 49ers with offensive coordinator experience are:

Tight ends coach Tony Sparano: He was the Jets’ offensive coordinator in 2012 under Rex Ryan. The club ranked 28th in the NFL in points scored and 30th in total yards. In 15 starts, Mark Sanchez threw just 13 touchdowns and 18 interceptions for an unsightly 66.9 passer rating. The Jets fired Sparano after that season.

Offensive line coach Chris Foerster: He spent the 2004 season as the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator under Dave Wannstadt. He was not retained on Nick Saban’s staff for the 2005 season. The Dolphins lost Pro Bowl running back Ricky Williams to retirement and Pro Bowl wide receiver David Boston to a knee injury. Miami ranked 28th in points scored and 29th in total yards with A.J. Feeley and Jay Fiedler sharing time at quarterback.