The San Francisco 49ers have fired both head coach Chip Kelly and general manager Trent Baalke. The move comes after a terrible year, in which the 49ers struggled on both sides of the ball. A new head coach will come in as part of a total rebuild, though the franchise will likely hire a general manager before hiring a head coach. As a result, they are the last team still looking to hire a head coach. Here's all the latest news & rumors you need to know surrounding the 49ers' coaching search:
McDaniels has "inside track" on 49ers job
According to Albert Breer of TheMMQB, one of the reasons that the 49ers haven't hired a head coach is that they're waiting for New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels:
Josh McDaniels has had the inside track, and my understanding is that he preferred the Niners’ situation to the other two he interviewed for, because this is a from-the-ground-up situation. No bad contracts, pick your own QB, high draft picks… it’s basically like an expansion team. And there’ll be a new GM coming with you, too. If McDaniels gets the job, it could be Lou Riddick filling that role.
McDaniels served as head coach of the Broncos from 2009-2010 and has been the offensive coordinator of the Patriots since 2012. He also held the OC position in New England prior to getting the head job in Denver.
Kyle Shanahan wants 49ers head coaching job
Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan was thought to be the top candidate for the Broncos' head coaching vacancy, but after Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph got the job, he is a top candidate for the 49ers' coaching vacancy.
According to Bleacher Report, Shanahan is very intrigued by the 49ers job because it is a complete rebuild:
Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole reported the Denver Broncos and 49ers as the likely destinations for Shanahan. On Wednesday, former Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph accepted the Broncos’ offer to succeed Gary Kubiak.
Based on Cole’s report and the process of elimination, the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator would accept an offer for the 49ers job when he’s ready. Apparently, general manager Jed York’s decision to wipe the slate clean intrigued Shanahan. He could step in without complications from the previous regime clouding his vision.
Shanahan has been the offensive coordinator of the Falcons for the past two seasons, and has been an OC in the NFL since 2008, working for the Texans, Redskins and Browns before taking the Falcons job.
Cable also to interview
At this point, it's pretty clear that McDaniels and Shanahan are San Francisco's top two choices for the job and will likely select one of them. However, they are still scheduled to interview Seattle Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable on Sunday. He is the only other head coach interview the 49ers have scheduled.
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