The 1976 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 27th season in the National Football League and their 31st overall. The team had a new head coach in Monte Clark, who previously was an assistant coach of the Miami Dolphins, to replace Dick Nolan. They began the season with the goal of improving on their previous output of 5–9. They were able to do so, starting the season 6–1; however, after a four-game losing streak, they finished 8–61976 San Francisco 49ers and missed the playoffs. This would be the first, and only, season for Clark as head coach. He was let go during the 1977 off-season.
On April 5, 1976, the 49ers traded for former Heisman Trophy winner Jim Plunkett. The 49ers gave the New England Patriots their first round pick in the 1976 NFL draft, the Houston Oilers first round pick in the 1976 Draft, the 49ers first and second round picks in the 1977 NFL draft, and quarterback Tom Owen.NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, , p. 257
This would be the final season for the 49ers under the ownership of the family of team founder Tony Morabito, as prior to the 1977 season the team would be sold to Eddie DeBartolo Jr., heir to the DeBartolo real estate development business started by his father Edward J. DeBartolo Sr..
Offseason 1976 expansion draft
+ San Francisco 49ers selected during the expansion draft Round Overall Name Position Expansion team00Wayne BakerDefensive tackleSeattle Seahawks00Manfred MooreRunning backTampa Bay Buccaneers00Bob PenchionGuardSeattle Seahawks
NFL draft
Personnel Staff / Coaches
Roster
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 August 1 at Seattle Seahawks W 27–20 1–0 Kingdome 60,825 2 August 8 Denver Broncos W 17–7 2–0 Candlestick Park 40,052 3 August 15 Kansas City Chiefs W 21–13 3–0 Candlestick Park 36,101 4 vs. San Diego Chargers W 17–14 4–0 Aloha Stadium 36,364 5 August 29 Oakland Raiders L 9–14 4–1 Candlestick Park 52,704 6 at Los Angeles Rams L3–10 4–2 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 55,256 Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 12 at Green Bay Packers W 26–14 1–0 Lambeau Field 54,628 2 September 19 Chicago Bears L 12–19 1–1 Candlestick Park 44,158 3 September 26 at Seattle Seahawks W 37–21 2–1 Kingdome 59,108 4 October 3 New York Jets W 17–6 3–1 Candlestick Park 42,691 5 at Los Angeles Rams W 16–0 4–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 80,532 6 October 17 New Orleans Saints W 33–3 5–1 Candlestick Park 43,160 7 Atlanta Falcons W 15–0 6–1 Candlestick Park 50,240 8 October 31 at St. Louis Cardinals L 20–23 6–2 Busch Memorial Stadium 50,365 9 November 7 Washington Redskins L 21–24 6–3 Candlestick Park 56,134 10 November 14 at Atlanta Falcons L 16–21 6–4 Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium 20,058 11 November 21 Los Angeles Rams L 3–23 6–5 Candlestick Park 58,573 12 Minnesota Vikings W 20–16 7–5 Candlestick Park 56,775 13 December 5 at San Diego Chargers L 7–13 7–6 San Diego Stadium 33,539 14 December 12 at New Orleans Saints W 27–7 8–6 Louisiana Superdome 42,536 Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Standings
References