Eric Mangini Wants to Return to Being a NFL Head Coach
By Josh Hill
The last time Eric Mangini was on an NFL sideline he was with the Cleveland Browns, watching as the ship he was supposed to right was burning and going down. After a few years on ESPN, Mangini is back in the coaching game but he’s going to have to work his way back up the ladder if he wants another head coaching gig in the future.
The San Francisco 49ers hired Mangini as a senior offensive consultant, but he admits that being a head coach once again is something that is on his mind as he prepares to re-enter the NFL coaching world.
“That’s definitely a goal of mine,” Mangini said, via CSN BayArea reporter Matt Maiocco. “Right now, I’m doing what I can do here as well as I can do it. I think it’s every coach’s goal to eventually do that.”
Right now Mangini’s job isn’t one that will actually place him back on the sidelines as his role as a consultant won’t afford him that opportunity just yet. But head coach Jim Harbaugh points out that Mangini’s role may become one that eventually sees a physical return to an NFL sideline.
"Mangini, 42, signed a two-year contract, and Harbaugh said it’s possible Mangini’s role will eventually become an on-field coaching job. Harbaugh said he did not know what role Mangini would serve on game days. And even Mangini is unable to give specifics about his job description."
Mangini has failed twice as a head coach but he showed promise on his way to landing those roles with the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns. Jim Harbaugh has a knack for growing players in his system and Mangini looks to be the first coaching project Harbaugh may end up developing in the future.