Report: 49ers to promote Leonard Hankerson

The San Francisco 49ers have filled their second coaching vacancy this week. Leonard Hankerson is expected to be named the new wide receivers coach for San Francisco, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic.

Hankerson will be replacing Wes Welker. Welker left to join former 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s staff with the Miami Dolphins.  

A wide receiver at the University of Miami (2007-2010), Hankerson first crossed paths with 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan when he was selected by Washington in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Hankerson played four seasons with Washington (2011-2014) before bouncing between Atlanta, Buffalo and New England in 2015.

Hankerson Hankerson joined the 49ers staff this past season as an offensive quality control coach. He broke into the coaching ranks at the collegiate level. He served as an offensive graduate assistant at the University of Massachusetts in 2017 before being promoted to wide receivers coach for 2018.

Hankerson moved on to Stephen F Austin University (2019-2020) where he coached outside receivers.

The move of Hankerson and Brian Fleury to position coaches makes two offensive quality control coaches who the 49ers have promoted ahead of the 2022 season.

Hankerson and Fleury will have All-Pro’s in Deebo Samuel and George Kittle to work with. Their charge will be to keep those two at the top of the game while improving the play of the rest of the group.

Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings showed improvement throughout 2021, however San Francisco will have three receiver spots to fill this offseason. At tight end, Charlie Woerner returns but Ross Dwelley is slated to be a free agent.

San Francisco still has to fill their special teams coordinator opening along with two assistant offensive line openings.