49ers hire Martz as offensive coordinator

SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco 49ers hired Mike Martz as their offensive coordinator Tuesday, landing one of the NFL's top offensive minds to fix a unit that floundered last season.

Martz tormented the 49ers for six years during his greatest success with their NFC West rival St. Louis Rams, but was fired by the Detroit Lions last week after two seasons as offensive coordinator.

He replaces Jim Hostler, who also was fired last week after the 49ers matched a franchise low and finished last in the NFL with 219 points. San Francisco's offense was derided as bland and conservative -- something that shouldn't be a problem with Martz on board.

Hostler, who got the job on short notice after Norv Turner left to coach the Chargers, also produced the league's worst statistics in total yards (3,797), yards passing (2,320), offensive touchdowns (23), first downs (218), sacks allowed (55) and third-down conversions (31.4 percent).

Martz, who got a two-year contract, is San Francisco's sixth offensive coordinator in six years. The Rams' offensive coordinator in their last Super Bowl victory, he became a largely successful head coach in St. Louis from 2000 to 2005, including a Super Bowl loss in 2001.

-- AP