Like the 49ers’ just-hired general manager John Lynch, Matt Millen was a star defensive player who transitioned to television analyst before he entered an NFL front office with no previous personnel experience.
The 49ers, of course, hope the similarities end there.
Since the 49ers hired Lynch on Sunday night, many have pointed to Millen’s tenure as the Lions president and general manager as evidence the inexperienced Lynch is doomed to fail.
Millen, who joined the Lions in 2001, was fired three games into Detroit’s 0-16 season in 2008. The Lions went an NFL-worst 31-84 during his tenure, during which Millen drafted top-10 flameouts such as quarterback Joey Harrington and wide receivers Charles Rogers and Mike Williams.