SANTA CLARA — Ken Norton Jr., who played his final years as an acclaimed linebacker with the 49ers, will have a big hand in mentoring Reuben Foster and reuniting with former pupil Malcolm Smith.
Norton on Monday officially joined Kyle Shanahan’s staff as the defense’s assistant head coach and inside linebackers coach.
Norton got fired as the Raiders defensive coordinator in November, when he was 10 games into his third season under Jack Del Rio, who was fired immediately after the Raiders finished with the same 6-10 record as the 49ers.