SANTA CLARA — Running backs coach Bobby Turner still feels incredible passion for football, even after 52 years in the game, including the last seven with the 49ers.
This is exemplified by Turner’s infamous offseason efforts to dig deep into every running back prospect’s background during pre-draft discovery.
“It’s not not something that just comes easy,” Turner told NBC Sports Bay Area. “I do have to work at it and you have to love it. It’s just like the love of the game. And it’s part of the job. I love what I’m doing, and I want to be the best at what I’m doing.
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“I have to be able to look myself in the mirror, that I did the best I could do during that whole evaluation process. Same thing in preparing weekly for the games, regardless of the score. If I get better, I can make everyone around me better.”
At 72 years old, Turner is completely adept at not just calling, but texting players throughout the draft process. The long-time coach, who has even been dubbed a “legend” by Christian McCaffrey, believes in the importance of a player’s maturity and dedication that must go along with exceptional game film.
The venerable Turner started coaching in 1972 at Kokomo High School before heading to his alma mater, Indiana State, which began his 20-year college football coaching career. He was initiated into the NFL when he was hired as the Denver Broncos’ running backs coach in 1995 under then-head coach Mike Shanahan.
For the next 29 seasons Turner has worked with a members of the Shanahan family, including when Kyle joined his father’s coaching staff in 2010 in Washington. Turner followed Kyle to the Atlanta Falcons in 2015 and then to the Bay Area in 2017.
