When Chris Ault announced Friday he was stepping down as coach at Nevada after 28 years, he made it clear he wasn't ready to retire.
"I have a lot left in me," Ault, 67, told the Reno Gazette-Journal. "I'm in my offensive prime. I feel good about where I'm at. My energy level is still very high. Whether I coach again, I don't know."
Ault -- the creator of the read-option "Pistol" offense -- must look at an NFL landscape and see a place where he could fit in. Colin Kaepernick set records under Ault at Nevada, and the San Francisco 49ers have wisely worked elements of the pistol into their game plan. Other teams have embraced the pistol as well, making Ault a potentially attractive candidate.
Comcast SportsNet Bay Area speculated Saturday that Ault could be reunited with Kaepernick in San Francisco. Niners offensive coordinator Greg Roman traveled to Nevada three years ago to meet with Ault, who taught Roman elements of his offense that would later allow Kaepernick to thrive in the pros.
"That was very valuable time spent," Roman said. "He was very accommodating and it was very interesting as a coach to go really learn something totally new. And he's a very good football coach. ... So it was good."
Three years later, should Roman be worried about his job? Probably not, but any coaching staff would improve by adding Ault to their think-tank.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.
