49ers extend Baalke's deal

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PROGRAMMING NOTE: Jed York will be featured on Chronicle Live on Monday, joined by Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott, Saint Mary's men's basketball coach Randy Bennett and tennis legend John McEnroe, who starred at Stanford.

San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York announced Friday via Twitter that the 49ers had extended the contract of GM Trent Baalke through 2016. The team followed with a formal announcement confirming the deal.

York posted the following message shortly after 1:30 p.m.:
Excited to announce our amazing GM, Trent Baalke's contract is extended until, 2016 and @GideonYu has been promoted to be our new President.

York was 49ers president and CEO. In correspondence with 49ers Insider Matt Maiocco he said that he is now just CEO.

The new team president, Yu, is also co-owner. Previously a top executive with Facebook, Youtube and Yahoo, Yu joined the 49ers in April of 2011 as chief strategy officer. He will be responsible for all business operations. Baalke will continue to lead all football operations. Both will report to York.

"It's a good day for the 49ers," York told CSNBayArea.com.

Last season was Baalke's seventh season with the 49ers and his 14th in the National Football League. He was named general manager on January 4, 2011.

In a press release York praised Baalke's work over the past year, which was highlighted by a berth in the NFC Championship.

Without question Trent has distinguished himself as the man to direct our football operations for years to come," York said in a statement. "Since taking over as general manager last January, we have made great strides on the football field under Trents leadership. It gives me great pleasure to watch Trent and (head coach) Jim (Harbaugh) work arm-in-arm with the common goal of leading the 49ers to championships.

He is credited with overseeing a stellar 2011 draft that netted pass-rushing specialist Aldon Smith, who finished with 14 sacks last season, quarterback Colin Kaepernick, cornerback Chris Culliver and running back Kendall Hunter.

In 2010 his guidance on draft day led to the selection of eight players who made San Francisco's Week 1 roster. The class included first-rounders Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati, who both went on to start every game of their rookie year.

Prior to his current post, Baalke was San Francisco's vice president of player personnel. He's also served as the team's director of player personnel.

Baalke was first hired by the 49ers in 2005 as their western region scout, after working for the Redskins as national scout and then college scouting coordinator. He was also a scout for the Jets from 1998 to 2000.

From 1990 to 1995, Baalke held the position of defensive linestrength and conditioning coach at South Dakota State. He helped promote former Pro Bowl guard Adam Timmerman and current NFL kicker Adam Vinatieri to scouts.

He 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.

I would like to thank Jed, and the York family, for this great opportunity and show of support, Baalke said in a statement released by the team. In addition, I would like to thank coach Harbaugh, as well as our coaches, players, scouts, and entire football operations staff for their hard work and dedication this season. The success we experienced on the field was a direct result of their efforts. It is a privilege to work for the 49ers organization, alongside this group, as we continue our pursuit of championships.

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