Anthony Lynn is back on the coordinator radar. The Commanders have requested permission to interview the 49ers assistant head coach/running backs coach for the offensive coordinator vacancy, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post (on Twitter). A formal request will be made following the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, per ESPN’s John Keim (on Twitter).
This is the first time Lynn’s name has come up this offseason. The 54-year-old joined the 49ers last year as an assistant head coach, but when it was announced that Bobby Turner wouldn’t be back in 2022, Lynn also took on the title of running backs coach. The 49ers dealt with a number of RB injuries prior to their acquisition of Christian McCaffrey, but the team’s rushing attack still finished top-10 in yards, touchdowns, and yards per attempt.
Lynn has lost a bit of his shine in recent years. After being hired as the Chargers head coach in 2017, he guided the team to a 9-7 record during his first season at the helm. The Chargers improved to 12-4 and won a playoff game in 2018, but the wheels fell off during a 5-11 2019 campaign. Lynn was kept around for the 2020 season, but following a 7-9 finish, we was let go by the organization. Lynn quickly landed on his feet when he was hired as the Lions OC, but he was canned after only one season in Detroit.
Former Lions head coach Jim Caldwell and Dolphins quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell declined Washington’s interview request. Lynn is now the sixth known candidate for the OC position previously held by Scott Turner:
- Thomas Brown, tight ends coach (Rams): Interviewed 1/24
- Charles London, quarterbacks coach (Falcons): Interview requested
- Pat Shurmur, former offensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed
- Eric Studesville, running backs coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/23
- Ken Zampese, quarterbacks coach (Commanders): To interview
Makes sense. He wants to run the ball too much and so does Rivera.
This is the worse position in the NFL to interview for right now. It has to go to an internal candidate or someone too desperate to care.
1) The new O-Cord is being handed a QB1 who only started a week 17 match up.
2) The new O-Cord cannot pick his staff, it is already in place.
3) No one in the organization knows who will be the owner next year.
Agreed. No thanks…
I’d also add it’s no sure Ron Rivera isn’t fired after next season. He hasn’t had the most successful tenure there so far. With new ownership coming, they may want to hire their own people.
If teams sign away Ryans and Anthony Lynn, that would be at least 2-3 more 3rd Rounders the 49ers would receive..
Although, idk if they’d get the normal four, or even three, since they’ve already received so many 3rd Rounders for teams signing away their minority coaches/front office personnel. They might have reached their limit, and they night only receive one third for each candidate…
Either way, as a 49ers fan, I’m definitely enjoying this new rule they’ve implemented. Although, realistically, I have no idea whether it has any real impact on minority coaches being targeted or hired..
Still though, with Martin Mayhew, Ran Carthon, Mike McDaniel, Robert Saleh, etc. already metting the 49ers multiple 3rd Rounders Anthony Lynn and DeMeco Ryans would be their fifth and sixth coaches/personnel thus far. That’s also if I’m not missing anyone, which is easily possible..lol