Jim Hostler

Jim Hostler (pronounced Hoss-ler) joined the Baltimore Ravens as the team's wide receivers coach on Feb. 6, 2008. Hostler came to the Ravens after a 3-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers, serving as offensive coordinator in 2007 after being promoted from QBs coach.

Hostler brings a wealth of experience to the Ravens' wide receiving corps. As the same position coach for the New York Jets (2004) and as assistant wide receivers coach for the New Orleans Saints (2001-2002), the former college CB helped develop the likes of Santana Moss, Wayne Chrebet, Justin McCareins and Donte Stallworth. Hostler also worked with Pro Bowl WR Joe Horn in his time with the Saints.

McCareins had arguably his best season under Hostler in 2004, starting 16 games and finishing with a career-high 56 receptions and 770 receiving yards. Moss finished the 2004 season as a starter in 14 of 15 games played, with 45 receptions for a team-high 838 receiving yards and 5 TDs. With Hostler's guidance, Moss also recorded a game-high 157 receiving yards against Detroit (11/7/2004), which remains the 4th-highest total in his career.

Hostler began his NFL coaching career with the Kansas City Chiefs as an offensive assistant/quality control coach in 2000. He moved on to the Saints in 2001 to assume the same position, with the added responsibility of assistant wide receivers coach in 2002. Joining the Jets in 2003, Hostler spent the next 2 years as QBs coach (2003) and WRs coach (2004). He then joined the 49ers as QBs coach when Mike Nolan took the reigns in 2005.

Under the tutelage of Hostler, 49ers QB Alex Smith became the franchise's 1st QB to take every snap of the regular season (2006). The 2nd-year QB went 257-of-442 for 2,890 yards, a marked improvement from his rookie year, when he amassed 875 yards (84-of-165) in his 7 starts (9 games played). Due to his extensive work on the offensive side of the ball and his guidance of Smith, Hostler was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2007.

Hostler got his coaching start at his alma mater, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), where he sailed up the ranks from RBs coach to offensive coordinator in 9 seasons. Hostler was part of an IUP team that qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs 5 times in his 9 years, including a trip to the National Championship game in his 1st year. In his 1st coaching stint, Hostler had the opportunity to coach several positions, including both RBs (1990-92, 1994-96) and LBs (1997-98) and finished as the offensive coordinator/QBs coach in 1999, before making his debut in the NFL ranks.

Hostler spent the 1993 season as the offensive coordinator at Juniata (PA) College, where he was the youngest at his position in college football.

The Pennsylvania native had a stellar 4-year career as a CB for IUP. A 2-time All-Conference selection, Hostler and the Indians captured 2 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference titles and made 3 trips to the Division II playoffs, dominating the field with a 38-9 record. He was also a 1st-team All-ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) selection as a senior, after leading the team with 5 INTs.

Hostler earned his bachelor's degree in criminology from IUP in 1989. Born 11/7/66, Jim attended Bethel Park (PA) HS. He and his wife, Jen, have 3 sons, Clint (9), Grant (7) and newborn Cooper, and a daughter, Attie (5).