Trent Baalke was a rookie General Manager in 2011, charged with the task of navigating one of the most trying offseasons the NFL had ever experienced. A year later, Baalke was named NFL Executive of the Year by Pro Football Weekly and the Pro Football Writers of America, and subsequently rewarded with a contract extension that keeps him with the team through the 2016 season. A veteran of 15 NFL seasons, he enters his eighth year with the 49ers, his second as the team’s General Manager.
Trent Baalke was a rookie General Manager in 2011, charged with the task of navigating one of the most trying offseasons the NFL had ever experienced. A year later, Baalke was named NFL Executive of the Year by Pro Football Weekly and the Pro Football Writers of America, and subsequently rewarded with a contract extension that keeps him with the team through the 2016 season. A veteran of 15 NFL seasons, he enters his eighth year with the 49ers, his second as the team’s General Manager.
“Without question Trent has distinguished himself as the man to direct our football operations for years to come,” said CEO Jed York upon extending Baalke’s contract in February of 2012. “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.”
Faced with the unprecedented task of constructing a roster without an offseason, Baalke proved to be up for the challenge, in 2011. As the doors of free agency would not open until early July, he and his staff needed to act quickly and decisively. Between a draft class and a collection of free agents, Baalke signed 24 players beginning in July that would remain on the team’s 53-man roster at the completion of the season. Three of those signees – K David Akers, FS Dashon Goldson and CB Carlos Rogers – earned Pro Bowl selections, while five others were named Pro Bowl alternates – special teamer Blake Costanzo, C Jonathan Goodwin, DT Ray McDonald, FB Bruce Miller and SS Donte Whitner. In all, 12 of those 24 players logged starts for the 49ers in 2011.
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 Ted Ginn Jr., who went on to be a stand-out return man and reserve receiver. Baalke has since extended the contracts of Pro Bowlers LB Patrick Willis, TE Vernon Davis and RB Frank Gore, as well as Pro Bowl alternates DT Ray McDonald and OLB Ahmad Brooks.
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 as a member of 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.
A double major at Bemidji State (MN), Baalke received his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education. He went on to earn his master’s degree in secondary education and sports administration while coaching at North Dakota State. Baalke played outside linebacker and was an All-Northern Sun Conference and All-Midwest Region honoree at Bemidji.
Trent and his wife, Beth, have two daughters, Katy and Cassie.
