49ers’ special teams coordinator Hightower leaves for Bears

Richard Hightower whose special teams units with the 49ers were a season-long problem but then helped deliver a divisional playoff win against the Green Bay Packers, has assumed the same position for the Chicago Bears.

The transaction was announced by the Bears Sunday morning on their Twitter account.

Hightower becomes the second assistant to depart, following tight ends and assistant head coach Jon Embree. The 49ers have also hired former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn as assistant head coach, with further duties to be determined once the status of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is determined.

We have hired Richard Hightower as our Special Teams Coordinator.

Welcome to Chicago, Coach!

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) February 6, 2022

The 49ers struggled on special teams throughout the season, finishing 25th. However, in a 13-10 win over Green Bay in the divisional around, special teams delivered a blocked punt by Jordan Willis that was recovered by Talanoa Hufanga for a scoop-and-score touchdown and a blocked field goal attempt by Jimmie Ward just before halftime,

Hightower will join the staff of new Bears coach Matt Eberfluss. Former Raiders coach Rich Bisaccia was also considered in Chicago but is also reportedly being wooed by the Green Bay Packers. If the 49ers promote from within, the assistant special teams coach is Matthew Harper. Hightower was hired by the 49ers in 2017, coach Kyle Shanahan’s first season as coach, after previously being a special teams assistant with the franchise in 2015.

McDaniel reportedly interviewed with the Miami Dolphins for their head coaching job, with Dallas offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to follow.

If McDaniel departs, it’s expected Lynn will take over his duties coordinating the running game under Shanahan.