49ers coaching staff: Ben Peterson hired by Atlanta Hawks according to report

In all this hubbub over Brandon Aiyuk’s contract, there is another action item that the 49ers will need to figure out sooner rather than later. Ben Peterson is heading to the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks to become the new vice president of player health and performance, according to 49ers head of player health and performance Tom Pelissero.

This makes Peterson a true professional sports renaissance man as he worked for the NHL before joining the 49ers. This also creates a job opening and another need for the team.

Peterson came to the 49ers after firing former strength and conditioning coach Ray Wright for a new role overseeing the medical and strength training groups.

Wright was on the wrong end of a series of injury-heavy seasons, the most notable being the 2018 “hell season” that ended quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s season in Week 3. after a knee injury. Garoppolo’s injury was one of many where you couldn’t point the finger at Wright, but pulls, strains and freak injuries kept happening and it was clear someone would be held accountable.

With Wright gone, the 49ers went to the Super Bowl in Peterson’s first season. The injury bug reared its ugly head a few times in the strangest ways (like taking the kicker out of the 49ers home game against Seattle), but the injuries were much less than in previous seasons, although I think some d ‘among you may not agree.

The 49ers were victims of the poaching of their personnel by the rest of the NFL, but did not have to deal with other professional sports leagues doing the same. If both of the above situations occur, it probably means the front office is doing something right.

As for who can replace Peterson, Athleticism David Lombardi has some good names: Dustin Little who is the head coach and Dustin Perry who is the head strength coach. On the outside, the 49ers poached Peterson from the NHL so they could get back on that path.