The NFL head coach carousel continues to spin and rumors have Vic Fangio, Kyle Shanahan, Josh McDaniels, Todd Bowles, Mike Shanahan and Rex Ryan as potential options for the San Francisco 49ers job after Jim Harbaugh left, while the Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills also could be potential destinations for those coaches.
The 49ers and Harbaugh "mutually" parted ways after the 2014 season and now Harbaugh is with Michigan and the Niners need a new head coach. According to ESPN.com, the Niners are interested in Mike Shanahan as a head coach option, while his son Kyle Shanahan is also reportedly a candidate for the job. Jed York and Trent Baalke said after the season they would take a long look at head coaches and that the decision likely would not come quick.
The team has interviewed a number of candidates that could end up with the job, including Adam Gase, Rex Ryan, Dan Quinn and Josh McDaniels. Gase has been the offensive coordinator for the Broncos during the Peyton Manning resurgence, while Quinn has been a very hot candidate over the past two years while working the defense for the Seahawks. McDaniels has been an offensive minded coach during his career and he has been coordinator for the Patriots in his latest job. Ryan was with the Jets for six years and made two AFC championship games, but he was let go after a number of subpar seasons.
The 49ers have also looked at Vic Fangio, as he was defensive coordinator for the team and could step in. According to Niners Nation at SB Nation, Fangio was impressive during a "lengthy" interview and he could be a candidate for the job. The website also reports that Ryan and Fangio could come in together, as the two previously worked together when Ryan was with the Ravens. The Niners reportedly were impressed by Fangio's interview, while Ryan also had a lengthy interview with the team.
Mike Shanahan has interviewed for the job, while the Niners have requested permission to interview his son. Shanahan was with the Washington Redskins and was fired after last season, while his son worked as offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns this season. The team also plans on taking hard looks at Bowels and Teryl Austin, but right now the team has not interviewed those names. The Niners like both Gase and McDaniels, as they are offensive minded coaches.
The 49ers went 8-8 this season and after Jim Harbaugh, whoever takes over will have high expectations. Harbaugh came in and won 44 games in four seasons and he took the team to three straight NFC championship games and one Super Bowl in his tenure. Harbaugh missed the playoffs for the first time this season and the front office decided to make a chance. The two sides did not always get along and now the team needs a new head coach.
Last season the offense and Colin Kaepernick took a step back, ranking 30th in the league in passing yards per game and struggling at times to score. The defense was top notch despite dealing with injuries and that is why many see the Niners bringing in an offensive coach like McDaniels or one of the Shanahan's.