Donahue Offered Job with 49ers

By LARRY STEWART

Jan. 15, 1999 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

Terry Donahue is on the verge of leaving CBS to become the director of player operations for the San Francisco 49ers.

The former UCLA coach has been offered the job by Bill Walsh, who is expected to be named the team’s new general manager early next week, sources close to Donahue said.

Donahue, a finalist for the San Diego Charger coaching job until Mike Riley was given that position, is still being mentioned as a finalist to replace fired Dave Wannstedt with the Chicago Bears.

But sources close to Donahue say he will either stay at CBS or take the 49er offer, and he is leaning toward the 49er offer. He must decide before Walsh is named general manager.

Walsh is eventually expected to turn over general manager duties to Donahue, perhaps as soon as May, after the NFL draft. It is unclear what Walsh’s role would become at that time.

Donahue was in Northern California on Thursday and could not be reached for comment.

CBS has offered Donahue a four-year contract at about $350,000 a year, an increase from $250,000. His salary with the 49ers would start at about $350,000 but would increase significantly after he becomes general manager.

John McVay has been serving as general manager of the 49ers because of the departure of Carmen Policy and Dwight Clark to the expansion Cleveland Browns, but McVay wants to bow out and return to his home near Sacramento.

Owner Eddie DeBartolo, banished from the NFL the past 1 1/2 years because of his involvement in a Louisiana gambling extortion scheme, is expected to regain control of the team next month.

Donahue, 54, the UCLA coach for 20 years and the winningest coach in Pacific 10 history, retired in December 1995 and took a job as CBS’ top college commentator.

Donahue likes the lifestyle afforded him by the CBS job, which essentially involves only 14 weeks a year. But he also has been exploring the possibility of getting back into football, preferably on the professional level.

Despite off-the-field problems that have clouded his legacy as a player, Lawrence Taylor was among 15 finalists announced for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The others are: former Buffalo coach Marv Levy, running back Eric Dickerson, defensive end Howie Long, former coach George Allen, defensive end Carl Eller, punter Ray Guy, former L.A. Ram guard Tom Mack, tight end Ozzie Newsome, executive Dan Rooney, wide receivers John Stallworth and Lynn Swann, tackle Ron Yary and former L.A. Ram defensive end Jack Youngblood.

The hall’s 36 selectors will meet in Miami on Jan. 30 to elect the class of 1999. Between four and seven new inductees will be voted in.

New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani proposed the city develop a sprawling sports, convention and entertainment complex that would bring into the same neighborhood a domed football stadium and a new Madison Square Garden.

Details were sketchy. The mayor didn’t put a price tag on the project or set a date when it might be built, and provided only a vague outline on how the development would be funded, apparently through a combination of public and private dollars.

Defensive backs Cordell Taylor and Travis Davis and defensive lineman Joel Smeenge of the Jacksonville Jaguars underwent surgery to repair injuries suffered during the season.

Davis, a backup safety, injured his right knee and underwent an arthroscopy to repair torn cartilage. Taylor, a cornerback, had an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee. Smeenge had a shoulder arthroscopy to repair a torn muscle.

The Oakland Raiders signed former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Andre Ware and tight end Marcus Hinton, the team announced. Ware, 30, is the fourth Heisman winner on the Raider roster, joining Tim Brown, Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Super Bowl XXXIII

NFL Playoffs

First Round

Jacksonville: 25

New England: 10

Miami: 24

Buffalo: 17

Divisional

N.Y. Jets: 34

Jacksonville: 24

Denver: 38