Former LSU assistant coach set to join San Francisco 49ers staff

Former LSU assistant, defensive graduate assistant Asauni Rufus is expected to join the San Francisco 49ers coaching staff as a defensive quality control coach, per Bruce Feldman of FOX Sports. He was a former three-time All-Mountain West defensive back for Nevada. Rufus also spent time on the coaching staffs of Nevada, Notre Dame, and last year with Vanderbilt Commodores.

In 2020, he was a special teams’ analyst with the Fighting Irish. Under Rufus’ guidance, Notre Dame just allowed 3.67 yards per return, the second-best mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Their kick return unit was just as good, allowing just 18.14 yards per return, the second-best mark in the ACC.

When he wrapped up his playing career with the Nevada Wolfpack, Rufus ranked third in career tackles (340). He also helped guide the Wolfpack to a pair of Arizona Bowl appearances in 2015 and 2018.

The San Francisco 49ers were extremely close to going to the Super Bowl

Rufus will join a San Francisco 49ers coaching staff that pulled one of the biggest upsets of the NFL playoffs this season. Their defense shut down the Green Bay Packers‘ offense completely, winning 13-10. It will go down as one of the most impressive accomplishments of the 2022 NFL Playoffs. The Packers had some horrible special teams play in the game, but the 49ers still capitalized on those mistakes. San Francisco scored their only touchdown of the game on special teams.

Rookie safety Talanoa Hufanga recovered the blocked punt at the six-yard line and took it in for a touchdown to tie the game up at 10-10 with just under five minutes remaining in the game. Even with Jimmy Garoppolo handcuffing them at quarterback, the 49ers still gave the Rams everything they could handle and more in the NFC Championship game this season. They lost 20-17.

It will be interesting to see what sort of changes San Francisco makes in the offseason.