Walsh Returns To 49ers: As GM

Reversing a pattern of high-profile executive departures, the San Francisco 49ers have hired Bill Walsh as the first step in the rebuilding of their front office.

Walsh, 67, back for a third tour with the 49ers, will take charge of the team's football operations as general manager.

The appointment of Walsh, a three-time Super Bowl winner in 10 years as 49ers coach and a consultant with the team in 1996, was announced at a news conference today.

"It'll be my job to manage the organization, the operational side of it, in particular," said Walsh, seen as a stabilizing force in the team's chaotic front office. "And to deal with the real challenges that will be occurring in the next few months."

Terry Donahue, 54, UCLA'S coach for 20 years and a broadcaster the past three years, also has been hired as director of player personnel, though his addition may not be formally announced until later this week.

The team also plans to hire former 49ers receiver Gene Washington as an executive vice president, which would make him one of the highest ranking blacks in a front office role in the league. Washington, 52, currently is the NFL's director of football development.

Last week, the club quashed speculation about coach Steve Mariucci's job security, signing him to a five-year contract.

Sources said Washington's arrival in the San Francisco front office probably wouldn't be completed until the 49ers' muddled ownership picture is resolved.

Eddie DeBartolo is awaiting NFL clearance to resume active ownership of the team. He ceded day-to-day control to his sister, co-owner Denise DeBartolo York, in December 1997 when he was targeted in a Louisiana gambling fraud probe.

DeBartolo pleaded guilty last October to failing to report a felony crime and was placed on probation and fined $2 million. He also must testify against former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards, who allegedly received $400,000 from DeBartolo as part of an influence-peddling scheme involving issuance of riverboat casino licenses.

The NFL is expeced to decide by this spring whether to allow DeBartolo to regain control of the team.

Walsh's return puts the 49ers' front office back on a stable course after a series of departures that began in July when Carmen Policy quit as team president because of a falling-out with DeBartolo. Policy joined Al Lerner's successful bid for the Cleveland expansion franchise and is now a minority owner and president of the Browns.

Dwight Clark resigned as San Francisco's general manager in late November to join Policy in assembling the Browns. Larry Thrailkill, who succeeded Policy on an interim basis, quit this month and Vinny Cerrato was fired last week as director of player personnel.

John McVay, who came out of retirement to become acting general manager and added acting president in the aftermath of Thrailkill's departure, is expected to remain with the club through next season to help Walsh run the team.

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