#MIDDLEBURY #SPORTS
By Mark Vasto
In October 2010, after a close loss to Philadelphia, ESPN’s Adam Schefter received not so much a text as a bold proclamation. The message was from Jed York, the 30-year-old CEO of the 0-5 San Francisco 49ers, and it simply stated “We’re going to win the division.”
The message was ridiculed. The 49ers under Mike Singletary – a head coach who mooned his team – looked to be careening out of control, far removed from the stately grace of Bill Walsh or precision play the team used to execute under Joe Montana, Steve Young, Jerry Rice and Roger Craig. Making bold predictions doesn’t make them smart or learned takes on a situation … it just makes them bold. I went into a new diner and the menu was typed out in bold comic sans; it didn’t help the meatloaf one bit.
The 49ers would almost pull it off though, but York’s star didn’t rise along with it … in fact, it probably only exacerbated the problems to come. Unlike his very well-respected father, John York, one of the country’s foremost cancer researchers and great philanthropist, Jed fit the mold of the rich kid who didn’t earn his spot … the kid born on the opponent’s one-yard line who thinks he just ran back a kickoff for 99 yards. He had a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame, he was captain of his high-school baseball team, but he spent only one year in the work force before his family brought him into the family business, owning one of the premier franchises in sports.
The turnaround occurred when Jim Harbaugh took over the reins. Harbaugh, a fierce competitor and brilliant football mind with the abrasive personality to match, took the team to a Super Bowl. Allegedly, Harbaugh and Jed clashed behind the scenes, and Harbaugh insulted him in front of the team.
Apparently unable to stomach the slight, Jed took every opportunity to point out shortcomings in Harbaugh’s game plan. Harbaugh left for Michigan after being fired amid a slew of stories that were obviously leaked by Jed and then-49ers GM Trent Maalke.
There would be some who would (wrongly) point out parallels between him and George Steinbrenner III. George used to love talking about how he was captain of the high-school football team. He too was keen on firing coaches and leaking damaging information to the press. The comparison stops there, as Steinbrenner had true business acumen and after a fan revolt, mellowed enough to find the right set of winners.
After firing Chip Kelly, an uncharacteristically brazen press started asking Jed questions about his future as CEO. Fans and columnists in the Bay Area alike are calling for his removal, a move that would seem likely if the team plans on getting any head coach with substance to take over the job and carry the once-great team back to the heights of success.
Mark Vasto is a veteran sportswriter who lives in New Jersey.
(c) 2017 King Features Synd. Inc.
