He also traded Kevin Gogan, R.W. McQuarters, Jim Druckenmiller and Marc Edwards. Walsh signed a Canadian Football League quarterback named Jeff Garcia, who emerged as a Pro Bowl player after replacing the retired Steve Young. Dwight Clark left for the Cleveland Browns. Walsh is under a three-year contract to remain with the organization in a consultant's role. Yet, he is unsure of his future.
Some consultants get into that position and become wealthy people.
But others have just gotten coffee for everybody. I don't know. Walsh hand-picked his successor upon returning to the organization, luring Donahue out of the broadcast booth, where he had called college games for CBS Sports from 1996 to '98. He added the title of assistant general manager prior to last season. Donahue has been the central figure in running the 49ers' drafts the last three years.