Jason Tarver is in his first season as defensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders.
Jason Tarver is in his first season as defensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders.
Tarver served as co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at Stanford in 2011, after spending 10 seasons in various coaching capacities with the San Francisco 49ers.
Tarver was appointed co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at Stanford in February 2011 and coordinated one of the top defensive units in the PAC-12. The Cardinal ranked either first or second in the conference in six defensive categories, rushing defense (first-84.4), third-down conversion defense (first-31.1), scoring defense (second-21.9), total defense (second-337.6), sacks per game (second-3.0) and opponent first downs (second-17.5). Stanford finished third nationally in rushing defense, sixth in third-down-conversion defense (31.0; 51-164) and 11th in sacks per game (3.0).
Tarver spent the previous decade on the staff of the 49ers, coaching San Francisco’s outside linebackers for six seasons (2005-10) prior to his appointment at Stanford. He began coaching at the NFL level as a quality control coach for the 49ers (2001-03) before being promoted to assistant running backs/offensive assistant coach for the 2004 campaign.
Under Tarver’s guidance in 2009, the 49ers’ outside linebackers recorded 15 takeaways, 17.5 sacks and nine forced fumbles, setting the edge for a run defense that ranked sixth in the NFL. Linebacker Manny Lawson enjoyed a breakout season as he led the team with a career-high 6.5 sacks, while Ahmad Brooks recorded a career-best six sacks. Parys Haralson also posted five sacks. Both Lawson and Brooks recorded four forced fumbles, which tied the 49ers’ single-season record. The 49ers finished the season tied for third in the NFL in sacks (44) and tied for first in forced fumbles (21), and ranked fourth in points allowed per game (17.6).
In 2007, Tarver played an instrumental role in the development of Haralson, who was elevated to a starting role after Lawson was lost for the season with an injury during the second week of the season. A year later, Haralson led the team with a career-high eight sacks, tied for second among NFC linebackers.
Prior to joining the 49ers in 2001, Tarver spent three seasons (1998-2000) as a graduate assistant coach at UCLA, where he worked primarily with the defensive backs while assisting with the special teams. During his tenure with the Bruins, three defensive backs, cornerbacks Ricky Manning and Jason Bell along with safety Marques Anderson, joined the NFL ranks.
A Northern California native, Tarver played football at West Valley Junior College in Saratoga from 1994-95. He spent the 1996 and 1997 seasons as an assistant coach on the West Valley staff, tutoring linebackers, defensive backs and special teams.
Tarver earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1997 from Santa Clara University, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He also earned his master’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from UCLA and received the departmental prize for distinguished teaching in 1998 and 2000.
Tarver and his wife, Katie, have two sons, Merrick and Keegan.
