Michael Christianson (born April 7, 1965) is an American football college and professional coach. Christianson most recently served as the assistant running backs coach and the Director of Technology for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL) in 2011 ^[1] thru 2013 which featured a Super Bowl appearance against the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII (47). Prior to his tenure with the 49ers, Christianson also served on University of Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh's staff at the University of San Diego (USD) where the Toreros of the Pioneer Football League won a Division I-AA Mid-Major National title in 2006. He has worked as a football coach at several other National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) institutions, including The University of Nebraska, Montana State University and Portland State University. Christianson coached the offensive line in 2002-2003 as a member of Jon Gruden's staff and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ^[2] winning Super Bowl XXXVII (37). Christianson played tight-end and offensive lineman at Western Oregon University.

Playing career

Christianson was a linebacker and tight-end at Kuna High School (Kuna, ID). He went on to play college football at Portland State University (NCAA FCS) and then transferred to Western Oregon University (NAIA DIVII).

Coaching career

Christianson began his coaching career at his alma mater, Western Oregon University in 1991 and spent 4 years coaching the offensive line and the tight-ends. In 1995, he spent one season with the Lewis & Clark College Pioneers (NAIA DivII) as the recruiting coordinator and tight-ends/running backs coach.

He then went on to coach in the Big Sky Conference and Portland State University (PSU). At PSU he coached one year as the assistant offensive line coach and 3 years as the Vikings running backs coach. While at Portland State he is largely attributed for helping to develop one of the most prolific running backs in Portland State school history in Charles 'Chip' Dunn. Dunn, who played at PSU from 1997 to 2000, rushed for more than 6,000 yards ^[3] as a Viking, was a first-team All-American and is a member of the Portland State Athletics Hall of Fame. In 2013 Dunn ranked number 35 among Big Sky Conference's Top 50 All-Time Athletes. ^[4]

Christianson left Portland State in 2000 to coach the tight-ends for the Bobcats and Montana State University.

He made his NFL coaching debut as the assistant offensive line coach for the 2002 Super Bowl XXXVII Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and head coach Jon Gruden. After a short stint with the Oakland Raiders as a contractor, he followed Raiders head coach, Bill Callahan to the University of Nebraska 2004 thru 2006 where he was the senior offensive assistant and helped Callahan with all facets of the program. ^[5] He was instrumental in assisting offensive coordinator Jay Norvell in developing the west coast offense in Lincoln. The Huskers beat Michigan in the 2005 Alamo Bowl during his tenure. ^[6] While at the University of Nebraska, he oversaw the development and execution of one of the largest athletic technology projects in Nebraska history.

Christianson had a couple stops with both Avid Sports and XOS Digital where he worked to develop, implement and train coaches on the use and benefits of technology as it relates to the sport of football. Christianson is considered an expert when it comes to technology and how it relates to the game of football. ^{[7] [8]} He coordinated and helped develop large football technology projects at the Oakland Raiders, the University of Nebraska and the San Francisco 49ers to name just a few.

After working with Jim Harbaugh at the Raiders, he joined the staff at the University of San Diego (USD) in 2006. ^[9] At USD, Christianson worked as the tight-end coach and assistant offensive Line coach with current University of Southern Cal Run Game Coordinator/Runningback Coach, Tim Drevno. During his tenure, USD won the Pioneer Football League championship and an NCAA Division I-AA Mid-Major National Championship. ^[10] That year, USD led the Nation in passing offense, total offense, and scoring offense. ^[11] He also coached USD starting tight end Chris Ramsey to a 2nd Team Mid-Major All-American honors. ^[12]

In 2012, Christianson coached in his second Super Bowl after joining the San Francisco 49ers in February 2011. ^[13] Working closely with Tom Rathman, Christianson played a major role in 2011 in the development of the 49ers rushing attack ^[14] and in mentoring veteran player Frank Gore to his 5th 1,000 yard season. Gore became the 49ers all-time leading rusher in 2011. ^[15] Christianson coached running back Frank Gore in 2012 when Gore was named to the NFL Pro Bowl. ^[16]

Personal life

Christianson is a native of Boise Idaho and is married to his wife Tracy. ^[17] He received his bachelor's and master's degree in secondary education and administration with a minor in computer applications from Western Oregon University & Oregon State University.

References