The San Francisco 49ers will have major changes in 2015 after the split with Jim Harbaugh and with names like Kyle Shanahan, Vic Fangio, Mike Shanahan and Rex Ryan potential head coaching targets, the team also has to worry about Frank Gore and Michael Crabtree, as those players may leave in free agency for Colin Kaepernick and the Niners.
The 49ers reportedly are looking at Vic Fangio, Kyle Shanahan, Mike Shanahan and Rex Ryan as head coach options along with Todd Bowles and Adam Gase. According to ESPN.com, Ryan had a lengthy interview with the team, while NinersNation.com reports that Fangio also impressed in his interview. Fangio was defensive coordinator for the team and he proved himself a good one, as the Niners ranked in the top 10 this season despite losing some key players to injuries.
Mike Shanahan and his son Kyle are offensive coaches and Mike could be an option after he previously served as offensive coordinator for the team in the past. The head coach will have to figure things out with Crabtree and Gore, as those two players could be gone in free agency. The Niners drafted Carlos Hyde and appear to be ready to lose Gore, but replacing Crabtree will be tough, as Anquan Boldin is not getting any younger for Kaepernick.
The Niners likely will look at offensive coaches, but Trent Baalke said after the season that it wasn't a certainty a team would hire a head coach that specializes in offense. The team overall fell off on offense compared to last year and Colin Kaepernick took a major step back in his development in 2014. The team had issues scoring points and they were one of the worst passing offenses in the league.
Kaepernick broke out two years ago after taking over Alex Smith and Harbaugh made the tough decision to stick with him after Smith came back from an injury. The team went to the super bowl that season, losing to another Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens. With Michael Crabtree and Frank Gore potentially leaving in free agency, the 49ers could look very different on offense and the new head coach will have to deal with those changes if they end up happening.
The 49ers finished the season 8-8 and they are now looking for a new head coach to take over for Jim Harbaugh. The front office and Harbaugh did not always see eye to eye and that led to his departure despite some great success with the team. The Niners were mired in complete mediocrity for a decade and Harbaugh came in and turned things around very quickly, taking the team to the playoffs in his first season, losing to the Giants in the NFC championship game.
Harbaugh won 44 games in his four seasons with the Niners and while that was a strong run, the team and Harbaugh had numerous issues while clashing over personnel. Harbaugh is now with Michigan and the Niners have the task of trying to replace him as head coach after some immediate success. This was the first season under Harbaugh that the team did not make the playoffs. The team has a number of free agents, including Brandon Lloyd, Blaine Gabbert and Perrish Cox.
