Rathman accepts 49ers' post

Tom Rathman, the fullback-turned-coach, is back with the 49ers for a third time.

Rathman verbally accepted the 49ers’ offer Wednesday to join Mike Singletary’s staff as running backs coach. He interviewed for the position with Singletary and general manager Scot McCloughan earlier in the day.

“I like what I see in the organization,” Rathman said. “One thing I know is that Mike has things heading in a positive direction.”

Rathman played the first eight seasons of his nine-year career with the 49ers. He returned to the 49ers in 1997 as a member of Steve Mariucci’s coaching staff. After a three-year stint with the Detroit Lions, Rathman spent the past two seasons as the Raiders running backs coach.

Because Rathman was not signed for the 2009 season, the 49ers were able to hire him away from the Raiders. He had just finished cleaning out his office at the Raiders’ facility in Alameda when he told The Press Democrat he had accepted the 49ers’ offer.

Rathman said he plans to sign the contract today at the 49ers’ complex in Santa Clara. The National Football Post reported Wednesday the 49ers had announced Rathman as the new running backs coach. The 49ers later confirmed the contract agreement.

Singletary last week fired three offensive coaches: coordinator Mike Martz, quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner and running backs coach Tony Nathan. Singletary fired Martz last week because of a “difference in philosophies.”

The 49ers have not interviewed any candidates for offensive coordinator. Rathman was not under consideration for the offensive-coordinator position, he said.

“That is something I feel I can do well, but when it gets down to it, working with running backs is what I love to do,” Rathman said. “Being a coordinator is something I don’t care to do right now.”

Among the rumored candidates for the offensive-coordinator job are former St. Louis coach Scott Linehan, Raiders advance scout Paul Hackett and Gil Haskell, who served as Seattle offensive coordinator the past nine seasons under Mike Holmgren.

Rathman was the starting fullback on two Super Bowl-winning teams with the 49ers after arriving as a third-round draft pick from Nebraska in 1986. He finished his playing career in 1994 with the Los Angeles Raiders.

He coached running backs at Serra High in San Mateo in 1995, and the next season was offensive coordinator at Menlo College.

Rathman returned to the 49ers for the first time the next season and experienced success as a position coach. The 49ers ranked second in the NFL in rushing during his seven seasons with the club. Running backs Garrison Hearst and Charlie Garner were selected to the NFC Pro Bowl under Rathman’s tutelage.