Twenty-four hours later, Tollner, 67, was in Santa Clara as an offensive assistant, plunging into game-plan meetings and getting a crash course on the team's offensive scheme.

"It came together quickly, but I'm just delighted to be back," said Tollner, who last worked in the NFL two years ago as Steve Mariucci's offensive coordinator in Detroit. He finished that year as tight-ends coach in the wake of Mariucci's midseason firing.

Tollner's 30-year-coaching career includes a stint under Dennis Erickson as the 49ers offensive coordinator in 2004 and tours as head coach at USC and San Diego State.

He also worked as the San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator for three seasons and spent time as a quarterbacks coach and receivers coach at both the NFL and college level.

On Sunday at Arizona, where the 49ers (2-8) will try to avoid a franchise-record-tying ninth consecutive loss, Tollner will join rookie offensive coordinator Jim Hostler in the booth. The hope is that Tollner's experience and insights help Hostler find a play-calling groove that could gradually generate some offensive momentum.

But time is short. The addition of Tollner comes with just six games remaining for an offense that has failed to score a touchdown in 11 consecutive quarters. The 49ers are the least productive offense in the league in points, total yards and first downs, among other categories. The 49ers remain the only NFL team completing less than 50 percent of its passes (49.5 percent).

"Sometimes, it can become a lonely position when you're trying to find answers," Nolan said, referring to Hostler, who has borne the brunt of criticism over the 49ers' offensive woes.

"We do have a very good staff. But when you feel that there's somebody out there that might be able to give you a spark, you want to take advantage of it. We don't quit turning over stones and looking for ways to get better."

Nolan speaks from experience. When he was struggling as the Washington Redskins' defensive coordinator in 1999, veteran defensive coach Bill Arnsparger was brought in for a time to assist him.

In 1996, the 49ers brought back Bill Walsh as an offensive consultant for struggling offensive coordinator Marc Trestman.

But there is a catch: The situations are usually born of desperation and seldom work out.

Trestman resisted Walsh's attempts to help him and wound up with an unforgettable public firing. Former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo blurted "He's gone!" when asked about Trestman's fate at the 1997 news conference announcing George Seifert's ouster as coach.

Nolan himself was let go by the Redskins after the `99 season.

Despite the problems of the 49ers offense and his inability to generate any rhythm with his play-calling, Hostler, 40, reacted coolly to Nolan's hiring of Tollner.

"Coach Nolan is doing this in my best interests," Hostler said. "I'm not so stubborn and have so big of an ego that I don't understand that. But I'm not going to sit here and tell you that, `Oh yeah, this is just what I wanted to happen.' My mindset is, I don't need anybody to help me."

But Hostler also understands it's no longer his choice to make. He voiced a willingness to work with Tollner.

"As awkward as this is for me, it's probably just as awkward, maybe more so, for him, coming into a new staff," Hostler said. "This doesn't happen all the time. The way I'm looking at it is: He's somebody I can bounce ideas off of, somebody that's had a lot of experience.

"It's not going to change me. It's not going to all of a sudden create a better offense. We've got to work to do that. But it will help me to better do my job."

If that's what happens, Tollner said, he will have accomplished his goal.