The San Francisco 49ers are searching for a head coach to replace Jim Harbaugh and names like Mike Shanahan, Todd Bowles, Vic Fangio, Rex Ryan, Teryl Austin, Dan Quinn and Josh McDaniels have come up as potential candidates and this comes as the Niners may lose Michael Crabtree and Frank Gore in free agency for quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
The 49ers and head coach Jim Harbaugh parted ways despite the fact that Harbaugh won 44 games in four seasons in San Francisco. ESPN.com and other outlets reported that Harbuagh and the front office did not always see eye to eye and that led to the mutual split. Harbaugh is now with Michigan and Adam Schefter reports that the 49ers have cast a wide net with their coaching search. Although the team struggled on the offensive side of the ball last season, Schefter reported that the team will not just look at offense specialty coaches and will consider hiring a defensive specialist.
Dan Quinn is one of the hottest names on the coaching market and he could be hired once the Seahawks lose in the playoffs. The Jets, Bills and Falcons have looked at Quinn as an option, while Arizona defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is also expected to end up with a job. ESPN writer Paul Gutierrez reports that Bowles is interviewing with the 49ers this week and that came after Detroit Lions defensive coordinator interviewed on Thursday.
Bowles is interviewing with a number of teams, including the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons and he also could be an option for the NY Jets. The 49ers have cast a wide net in their search for a head coach and they have interviewed a number of candidates already, including their own defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. The team interviewed Adam Gase from the Denver Broncos and Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels already and they also have other names they want to bring in.
The team interviewed Shanahan early in the process and he is an option to take over after previously working for the team years ago as offensive coordinator. Shanahan has been out of a job since the Redskins fired him and he could bring in his son Kyle to run the offense. Shanahan and the Cleveland Browns parted ways after Shanahan resigned and sources said part of the reason was the pushing of Johnny Manziel to start from the front office.
The 49ers have some quarterback issues of their own, as Colin Kaepernick took a step back last season from where he was in 2013. The team had issues scoring and they were ranked near the bottom of the league in passing yards per game on offense. Kaepernick may lose two of his most consistent offensive weapons in free agency, as Michael Crabtree and Frank Gore both are hitting the market. The Niners have to make those decisions, but obviously that will come long after the team hires a new coach.
The 49ers missed the playoffs for the first time under Harbaugh and the team went 8-8 and just 2-4 in the NFC West. The team ranked fifth in passing yards allowed per game and seventh in rushing yards allowed per game despite losing key players on the defensive side of the ball.