Record 8–6 Playoff finish did not qualify | Start date 1976 | |
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Owner Josephine Morabito-FoxJane Morabito Similar 1969 San Francisco 49ers sea, 1976 New York Giants season, 1959 San Francisco 49ers sea | ||
The 1976 San Francisco 49ers season was their 27th in the National Football League. The team had a new head coach in Monte Clark, who previously was an assistant coach of the Miami Dolphins, to replace Dick Nolan. They began the season with the goal of improving on their previous output of 5–9. There were able to do so, starting the season 6–1; however, after a four-game losing streak, they finished 8–6 and missed the playoffs. This would be the first, and only, season for Clark as head coach. He was let go during the 1977 off-season.
On April 5, 1976, the 49ers traded for former Heisman Trophy winner Jim Plunkett. The 49ers gave the New England Patriots their first round pick in the 1976 NFL Draft, the Houston Oilers first round pick in the 1976 Draft, the 49ers first and second round picks in the 1977 NFL Draft, and quarterback Tom Owen.