Article: 49ers hire offensive wizard

SANTA CLARA -- Putting his reputation for offensive wizardry to one of the sternest tests imaginable, Mike Martz on Tuesday took on the job of reviving the 49ers' moribund offense.

"It's not a challenge. It's an opportunity," said Martz, who was hired as the 49ers offensive coordinator a day after interviewing with coach Mike Nolan at the team's Santa Clara facility.

"The potential to build that offense around Frank Gore is pretty exciting. There's some outstanding pieces. We just need to tie them all together."

Martz, 56, replaces Jim Hostler, who was fired after overseeing a 49ers offense that ranked last in yards and points , while giving up a league-high 55 sacks in 2007.

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