OWINGS MILLS — The Baltimore Ravens hired former San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Jim Hostler as wide receivers coach Friday, adding Craig Ver Steeg as offensive quality control coach.
Hostler was fired by 49ers coach Mike Nolan last month and replaced by Mike Martz after San Francisco finished last in the NFL in total offense with 237.3 yards per contest and last in points scored with a 13.7 average.
Hostler was the New York Jets’ wide receivers coach in 2004, where he coached Pro Bowl wide receiver Santana Moss. As an assistant receivers coach with the New Orleans Saints in 2001 and 2002, he helped coach perennial Pro Bowl wide receiver Joe Horn.
Hostler has coached in the NFL for nine years and been coaching for 19 years. He was promoted to offensive coordinator in San Francisco from quarterbacks coach.
"Adding another coach who has been a coordinator in the NFL brings quality experience to the staff," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. "Jim’s emphasis on attention to detail and toughness match what we want to have on this team. A number of teams were looking at Jim, and we are fortunate to have him here in Baltimore."
Ver Steeg spent the past five seasons at Rutgers, acting as offensive coordinator for the past four seasons after one year as the running backs coach.
He coached in the NFL for two seasons with the Chicago Bears as their offensive assistant/quality control in 1996 and 1997.
"Craig brings a wealth of experience from both college and the NFL," Harbaugh said of Ver Steeg, who has prior stints at Utah as an offensive coordinator and Illinois as a quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator. "He’s been a coordinator; he has coached running backs, quarterbacks and receivers. His experience and his knowledge will be invaluable to the development of our offense."
Since replacing Brian Billick last month, Harbaugh has hired 14 coaches, including coordinators Cam Cameron (offense), Rex Ryan (defense) and Jerry Rosburg (special teams).
Besides Hostler and Ver Steeg, the other coaches on the staff includes: Hue Jackson (quarterbacks), John Matsko (offensive line), Wilbert Montgomery (running backs), Wade Harman (tight ends), Andy Moeller (assistant offensive line coach), Clarence Brooks (defensive line), Mike Pettine (outside linebackers), secondary (Mark Carrier) and Vic Fangio (special assistant to the head coach).
NOTE: University of Florida co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison is considering an offer to join the Ravens’ staff, according to Florida coach Urban Meyer. Mattison could wind up coaching the inside linebackers. No official announcement had been made by the Ravens or Florida as of Friday afternoon. Meyer told Florida reporters that Mattison initially turned down an offer from the Ravens, who increased the salary in a second offer. Mattison coached with Harbaugh at Western Michigan.
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.
