The 49ers have spent by far the most time interviewing high-level personnel this offseason, and now the team is entering its third week without a head coach or general manager. But some clarity could be coming on both fronts.
Falcons OC Kyle Shanahan and Packers director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst have emerged in front for the HC and GM jobs, respectively, as the team searches to fully move on from Chip Kelly and Trent Baalke. Gutekunst impressed the 49ers in his interview and is a frontrunner as of now, Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com tweets, before adding Shanahan could have a say in this matter.
Recent Packers promoted executives Gutekunst and Eliot Wolf were among the nine candidates to interview for the 49ers job, and Alex Marvez of the Sporting News confirms Breer’s report about positive buzz coming out of the Gutekunst-49ers summit (Twitter link). Marvez adds the 49ers are have pared this list down and bring in finalists for secondary interviews this week. It can be assumed the 43-year-old Gutekunst, an 18-year Packers employee, is one of the finalists. One of the candidates, Cardinals VP of player personnel Terry McDonough, preferred Shanahan throughout this process, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com notes (on Twitter).
As for Shanahan, he appears to have a relatively clear path to his first HC job. The 49ers do not plan to restart the interview process after highly touted candidate Josh McDaniels withdrew his name from consideration. The 37-year-old assistant is “by far” the 49ers’ top option, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports tweets, and although he cannot be hired until after the Falcons’ season concludes, he can be brought in for a second interview after the NFC championship game if Atlanta advances to Super Bowl LI. That could be to discuss the GM job if the 49ers hold off on making that decision this week. He’s viewed as the favorite over Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable, something the 49ers have recognized privately in recent days, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes.
I wonder who Shanahan would be interested in bringing in as his DC…IMO he would be wise to find a 3-4 specialist and perhaps looking at Rex would be a good idea…he shouldn’t ever be a HC again but he was a damn fine DC and knows how to run a solid 3-4
Not many appealing options, I think Rex can make this defense credible if given the chance.
Mike Vrabel (LB Coach for Texans) is probably high on 49ers wishlist but not sure if he is on Kyle Shanahan’s wishlist (if named HC).
Does anybody know if the incoming head coach has any thing to do with Kaepernick playing in the 49er uniform next year
Anything? Well, yes, but, first and foremost the decision is Kaep’s, since he can opt out of his contract after the SB. He may have already made up his mind to leave. Or, he could decide that he doesn’t want to play for whoever the Niner head coach turns out to be. As for the new coach, I imagine his opinion will be sought, but usually it’s the GM that makes the call.
If Shanahan doesn’t want the job, and the 9ers aren’t high on Cable just sign a interim coach and hope a coach gets fired midseason if not just wait till next season, makes no sense to sign a guy you don’t love for multiple years
Getting a HC job is a rare thing, and so you almost have to take it when it’s offered. This applies to an even greater degree for a first time coach. That said, I can’t imagine anyone who would WANT the 49ers job.
Agreed, York is the most incompetent owner in football, if I’m Shanahan no way I accept the job, it’s a revolving door. York thinks head coaches should be able to put together winning teams without spending any money, when they fail they get fired. With past history the 9ers are looking at a 3-5 win season, York will fire the head coach and we’all be talking about this next year. York would rather pay coaches not to coach than build a winning team