The San Francisco 49ers announced on Friday they have signed General Manager Trent Baalke to a three-year contract extension through the 2016 season.
“This is a wonderful day for Trent, his family and the 49ers organization,” said 49ers CEO Jed York. “Without question Trent has distinguished himself as the man to direct our football operations for years to come. Since taking over as General Manager last January, we have made great strides on the football field under Trent’s leadership. It gives me great pleasure to watch Trent and Jim work arm-in-arm with the common goal of leading the 49ers to championships.”
“I would like to thank Jed, and the York family, for this great opportunity and show of support,” said Baalke. “In addition, I would like to thank Coach Harbaugh, as well as our coaches, players, scouts, and entire football operations staff for their hard work and dedication this season. The success we experienced on the field was a direct result of their efforts. It is a privilege to work for the 49ers organization, alongside this group, as we continue our pursuit of championships.”
A veteran of 15 NFL seasons, Baalke enters his eighth year with the 49ers, his second as the team’s General Manager. In 2011, his first year in that capacity, Baalke was named Executive of the Year by Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers Association.
Faced with the unprecedented task of building a roster without an offseason, Baalke proved to be up for the challenge. As the doors of free agency would not open until early July, Baalke and his staff needed to act quickly and decisively. Between a draft class and a collection of free agents, Baalke signed 24 players beginning July that would remain on the team’s 53-man roster at the completion of the season. Three of those signees – K 
Since 2010, when Baalke served as the team’s Vice President of Player Personnel, overseeing all player acquisitions including the draft, he acquired 32 players who remained on the 49ers active roster at the end of 2011. Among that group were 13 draft picks, four of which were regular starters and another five who were key contributors. Prior to leading his first 49ers draft, he orchestrated a trade with the Miami Dolphins for WR
Prior to his promotion to Vice President of Player Personnel, Baalke was the 49ers Director of Player Personnel from 2008-09, where he oversaw both the college and pro personnel departments. He first joined the franchise in 2005 as the team’s Western Region Scout, a position he held through 2007.
Baalke spent four years on the Washington Redskins scouting staff, serving as the College Scouting Coordinator in his final season. From 2001 to 2003, he served as Washington’s National Scout and traveled throughout the country in search of rising talent. Before joining the Redskins, Baalke spent three seasons (1998-2000) as a scout with the New York Jets.
From 1990 to 1995, Baalke held the position of defensive line/strength and conditioning coach at South Dakota State. In that role, he helped promote players such as former Pro Bowl guard Adam Timmerman and current NFL kicker Adam Vinatieri to NFL scouts. Baalke then spent time as the athletic director at Shanley High School in Fargo, ND, before moving on to the Jets.
Baalke began his coaching career as a graduate assistant defensive line coach at North Dakota State, in 1989. The team finished with a 14-0 record and a Division II National Championship.
BAALKE’S NFL BACKGROUND
YEARS NFL BACKGROUND
2011-present General Manager, San Francisco 49ers
2010 Vice President of Player Personnel, San Francisco 49ers
2008-09 Director of Player Personnel, San Francisco 49ers
2005-07 Regional Scout, San Francisco 49ers
2004 College Scouting Coordinator, Washington Redskins
2001-03 National Scout, Washington Redskins
1998-00 Personnel Scout, New York Jets