Tom Rathman

Thomas Dean Rathman (born October 7, 1962) is a former American football fullback who played for the San Francisco 49ers (1986-1993) and the Oakland Raiders (1994). He is currently the running backs coach for the 49ers.

High school
Rathman was a three-sport star at Grand Island Senior High in central Nebraska. In addition to a state Hall-of-Fame career as a fullback for the Islanders football team, Rathman won a state championship in the high jump during his junior year.

College career
Rathman was a three-year letter winner in football at the University of Nebraska. He finished his college career with 1,425 rushing yards, and averaged over six yards per carry. Often considered the greatest fullback in modern Nebraska history, Rathman set several school position records, some of which still stand, including most yards rushing by a fullback in a single season (881, in 1985) and most career rushing touchdowns by a fullback (twelve). He was noted for his ability to break long runs, especially during his senior year in 1985, when he averaged 7.5 yards per carry.

Professional career
Rathman's professional career spanned nine years as a fullback, the first eight with the San Francisco 49ers. While in San Francisco, he was teammates with another former Nebraska alumnus, Roger Craig, for whom he blocked. Rathman helped lead the 49ers to two Super Bowl Championships, rushing for 38 yards, catching four passes for 43 yards, and scoring two touchdowns in Super Bowl XXIV. In 1989, he led all NFL running backs in receiving with 73 receptions for 616 yards. He spent his last season with the Oakland Raiders.

Rathman finished his NFL career with 2,020 rushing yards, 320 receptions for 2,684 yards, five kickoff returns for 103 yards, and 34 touchdowns.

Coaching career
After retiring as a player, Rathman joined the 49ers coaching staff in 1997, serving as running backs coach until 2002. In 2003 he accompanied head coach Steve Mariucci to the Detroit Lions where Rathman was running backs coach during Mariucci's tenure with the Lions. He held the same position for the Oakland Raiders until 2009, when his contract expired. He returned to the 49ers as running backs coach on January 7, 2009.

Personal life
Rathman currently resides in Redwood Shores, California with his wife and three daughters, Nicole, Ali, and Samantha.