The San Francisco 49ers interviewed Perry Fewell on Friday, but the former New York Giants DC would have to take a step down for a job with the team.
Fewell and the Giants parted ways earlier this month after five seasons together, but the timing was less than ideal. With Eric Mangini getting promoted to 49ers DC, there are few appealing defensive coordinator jobs in the NFL this winter, and a step down to the college game likely holds no interest for Fewell. Fewell got his start coaching in the college ranks, but made his step up to the NFL in 1998 and never looked back.
The 49ers are still looking for several position coaches on defense, though, and Fewell would appear to be a natural fit. Trent Baalke is clearly pursuing coaching candidates with a great deal of experience to help out rookie HC Jim Tomsula, and Fewell's decade of experience as a defensive coordinator would almost make him overqualified to be a position coach. The lack of coaching vacancies, however, will likely help Fewell settle for a 'lesser' role. Denver, Oakland, and Arizona are the only teams with DC vacancies - the Broncos role has already been earmarked for Wade Phillips, and the Raiders and Cardinals apparently aren't interested.
Fewell also spent seven games as interim HC of the Buffalo Bills in 2009, leading the team to a respectable 3-4 record during his time in charge. In his second season with the Giants, his players memorably shut out the New England Patriots late in the fourth quarter to seal his team's second surprising Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots.
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