The San Francisco 49ers are expected to add Kent State offensive line coach Angel Matute to their offensive staff, a move with direct implications for the scheme surrounding George Kittle and quarterback Brock Purdy. CBS Sports reporter Matt Zenitz first reported the hire, which adds a developmental voice to a line room already led by coordinator Chris Foerster.
The addition comes alongside an internal shift: Cameron Clemmons moves from his line coaching duties to tight ends coach, placing him in direct proximity to Kittle’s position group. Foerster retains authority over the offensive line itself, with Matute slotting in beneath him as an additional resource.
Why the 49ers’ Line Staff Matters for George Kittle
San Francisco’s play-action system requires tight end-lineman coordination on every snap. When protection breaks down, Purdy’s time to read the field collapses. Kittle’s route depth then becomes irrelevant. Adding a developmental line coach like Matute addresses the upstream conditions that allow Kittle to function as a receiving threat rather than a full-time blocker.
The 49ers’ wide-zone running scheme demands precise double-team execution from interior linemen before releasing to second-level blocks. When those doubles hold, Kittle can release into the flat or up the seam off play-action. When they collapse, the entire sequence fails. Matute’s college background suggests his primary value will come in accelerating the growth of younger linemen on the depth chart rather than reshaping the starting unit.
Foerster’s retention as the lead voice preserves system continuity. Matute’s presence gives the unit a second set of eyes during film sessions and individual drills. An alternative reading holds that the staff addition is primarily administrative — a direct response to Clemmons’ lateral move — rather than a signal of dissatisfaction with existing line output. Either way, the structural effect on Kittle’s blocking assignments is real.
Angel Matute’s Coaching Background and Playing Career
Matute built his coaching reputation through a concentrated run at college programs before landing with San Francisco. His most recent post was offensive line coach at Kent State. Before that, he served as Purdue’s line coaching assistant during the 2024 season. His path from player to coach traces through Mt. San Antonio College and Missouri, giving him firsthand experience at multiple competitive levels.
As a player, Matute transferred to Mt. San Antonio College, where he moved to the offensive line and earned First Team All-Conference recognition. He later transferred to Missouri, where he appeared in one game during the 2019 season. That playing background — earning all-conference honors at a junior college before competing at a Power Five program — gives Matute credibility in individual technique instruction. His career arc from player to college position coach to NFL staff reflects a fast-track trajectory the 49ers found attractive.
Matute’s experience coaching against varied defensive fronts at the collegiate level also expands the scouting vocabulary he brings to evaluating incoming talent. If San Francisco targets offensive line prospects in the 2026 draft cycle, his developmental background gives the franchise an additional voice in onboarding those players. The salary cap implications of the coaching staff additions have not been disclosed.
Key Developments in the 49ers’ Offensive Staff Restructuring
The 49ers are expected to hire Angel Matute, most recently the offensive line coach at Kent State, onto their offensive staff.
CBS Sports reporter Matt Zenitz first reported Matute’s expected arrival with San Francisco.
Cameron Clemmons is shifting from his line coaching role to tight ends coach as part of the staff reorganization.
Chris Foerster retains his role leading the offensive line, with Matute adding a developmental layer beneath him.
Before Kent State, Matute served as Purdue’s line coaching assistant during the 2024 season.
The restructuring positions San Francisco to develop interior line depth while preserving Foerster’s established system. That dual objective matters in an offense where George Kittle’s snap count and target share depend on the line holding blocks long enough for play-action to develop.
Clemmons’ transition may be the most consequential element of this move. A former line coach now overseeing tight ends brings cross-positional technical knowledge to a room led by one of the NFL’s most complete tight ends. Kittle’s ability to execute combination blocks — releasing off a chip to run a route — requires precise timing with the adjacent lineman. A coach who spent time developing those linemen could refine that coordination in ways that standard position coaching does not address.
Clemmons’ shift also creates a direct coaching connection between the offensive line and Kittle’s group. That structural link, combined with Matute’s arrival as a fresh developmental voice, gives the 49ers two distinct gains from a single staff reorganization. Foerster’s continuity anchors the system; Matute and Clemmons extend its reach into younger players and the tight end room simultaneously.
Who is Angel Matute and why did the 49ers hire him?
Angel Matute is a college offensive line coach most recently employed at Kent State. The San Francisco 49ers are expected to add him to their offensive staff, according to CBS Sports reporter Matt Zenitz. Before Kent State, Matute worked as a line coaching assistant at Purdue in 2024. His hire adds a developmental voice beneath offensive line coordinator Chris Foerster.
How does the 49ers’ offensive line staff change affect George Kittle?
George Kittle’s effectiveness in San Francisco’s play-action system depends on the offensive line holding blocks long enough for routes to develop. Cameron Clemmons, who previously coached the offensive line, is shifting to tight ends coach, creating a direct coaching link between the line and Kittle’s position group. That cross-positional background could improve blocking coordination at the point of attack.
What is Cameron Clemmons’ new role with the 49ers?
Cameron Clemmons is moving from his line coaching duties to tight ends coach as part of the 49ers’ offensive staff reorganization, according to CBS Sports. The shift places Clemmons in direct oversight of the position group that includes George Kittle, while Chris Foerster retains lead responsibility for the offensive line.
Where did Angel Matute play college football?
Angel Matute played college football at Mt. San Antonio College, where he earned First Team All-Conference recognition after moving to the offensive line. He later transferred to Missouri, where he appeared in one game during the 2019 season, according to reporting on his background.
Marcus Cole is a former college quarterback who has spent over 12 years covering the NFL as a sportswriter. After playing four seasons at the collegiate level, he transitioned to journalism and quickly earned a reputation for breaking down complex play designs in plain English. His work has been featured in regional sports publications across the South, and he has covered six Super Bowls from the press box. Marcus specializes in offensive scheme analysis, quarterback evaluations, and draft coverage.
