Rathman was a three-sport star at Grand Island Senior High in central Nebraska.
[1] He was an accomplished track and field athlete winning the state championship in high jump as a junior.
He was noted for his ability to break long runs, especially during his senior year in 1985, when he averaged 7.5 yards per carry.
He then held the same position for the Oakland Raiders for three seasons, and returned to the 49ers as running backs coach on January 7, 2009.
After the firing of Tomsula a year later, Rathman was once again retained by new 49ers head coach Chip Kelly for the 2016 season.
[7] Rathman currently resides in Redwood Shores, California with his wife Holly, and three daughters, Nicole, Ali, and Samantha.