Jason Tarver Position: Co-Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers Experience: Second Season Graduated: '97

Feature Stories: 9/14/11 on ESPN.com | 9/29/11 in San Francisco Chronicle |

Jason Tarver was appointed co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach on Feb. 2, 2011 after spending the previous 10 seasons in various coaching positions with the San Francisco 49ers.

In his first season as the program's co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach, Stanford was one of the top defensive units in the Pac-12 Conference and the nation in 2011, ranking in either first or second in the conference in six defensive categories, including rushing defense (1^st; 84.4), third-down conversion defense (1^st; 31.1), scoring defense (2^nd; 21.9), total defense (2^nd; 337.6), sacks-per-game (2^nd; 3.00) and opponent first downs (2^nd; 17.5).

Stanford finished third nationally in rushing defense, sixth in third down conversion defense (31.0; 51-164) and 11^th in sacks per game (3.00).

Tarver's work with first year starters A.J. Tarpley and Jarek Lancaster was instrumental in solidifying Stanford's defensive unit following the loss all-conference linebacker Shayne Skov early in the season. Lancaster finished the year leading the team in total tackles with 70, while Tarpley ranked third with 57.

Outside linebacker Chase Thomas, who had 8.5 sacks among his 17.5 tackles-for-loss in 2011, was named a Sporting News All-American in addition to earning first team all-conference honors. Safety Delano Howell also earned first team all-conference marks, despite missing three game with injury.

Tarver served as quality control coach for the 49ers from 2001-03 before he was promoted to assistant running backs/offensive assistant coach for the 2004 campaign. He served as San Francisco's outside linebacker's coach for six seasons (2005-10) prior to his appointment at Stanford.

Under Tarver's guidance in 2009, the 49ers outside linebackers recorded 15 takeaways, 17.5 sacks and nine forced fumbles, setting the edge for a run defense that ranked sixth-best in the NFL. Linebacker Manny Lawson enjoyed a breakout season as he led the team with a career high 6.5 sacks, while Ahmad Brooks recorded a career best 6.0 sacks. Parys Haralson also posted 5.0 sacks. Both Lawson and Brooks recorded four forced fumbles, which tied the 49ers single season record. The 49ers finished the season ranked tied for third in the NFL in sacks (44), tied for first in forced fumbles (21) and fourth in points allowed per game (17.6).

In 2007, Tarver played an instrumental role in the development of Haralson, who was elevated to a starting role after Lawson was lost for the season with injury during the second week of the season. A year later, Haralson led the team with a career-high 8.0 sacks, a total which tied for second among NFC linebackers.

Prior to joining the 49ers in 2001, Tarver spent three seasons (1998-2000) as a graduate assistant coach at UCLA, where he worked primarily with the defensive backs while assisting with the special teams. During his tenure with the Bruins, three defensive backs - cornerbacks Ricky Manning and Jason Bell along with safety Marques Anderson - joined the NFL ranks.

A Northern California native, Tarver played football at West Valley Junior College in Saratoga in 1994 and '95 before injuries cut short his career. He spent the 1996 and '97 seasons as an assistant coach on the West Valley staff, tutoring linebackers, defensive backs and special teams.

Born in Stanford Hospital, Tarver earned his bachelors of science degree in chemistry from in 1997 from Santa Clara University, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He also earned his master's degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from UCLA and received the departmental prize for distinguished teaching in 1998 and 2000.

He resides on the Stanford campus with his wife Katie and sons Merrick and Keegan.