The Mangenius is headed back to the NFL.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport confirms that Eric Mangini has accepted an offensive consultant job with the San Francisco 49ers, according to a source informed of the move.
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ESPN's Chris Mortensen had the first report.
It's an interesting career choice for Mangini, whose coaching roots trace almost entirely to the defensive side of the ball. According to Rapoport, part of Mangini's role will be to help evaluate how teams plan to defend the 49ers.
Rapoport noted on Twitter that 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman began his NFL career as a defensive coach under Dom Capers with the Carolina Panthers.
Mangini was a secondary coach and eventually defensive coordinator with the New England Patriots before two head-coaching stints with the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns.
He's spent the past two years with ESPN, where he quickly earned a reputation as one of the game's best analysts on television.
Adding some experience as an offensive coach can't hurt Mangini's resume if he has designs on getting back into the big chair. It also puts him in position to move up the Niners' ladder when Roman leaves the nest for a head-coaching job, as many expect he eventually will.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.
