New Year’s Day brought some interesting news around the National Football League. According to The Denver Post, former Los Angeles Raiders, Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan will interview for the San Francisco 49ers job opening.
Citing three sources, Broncos beat writer Mike Klis indicated that an interview could potentially take place over the weekend in Denver. San Francisco is sending its brass to the Denver area on Friday to interview Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase, so that would make sense.
The report also indicated that 49ers general manager Trent Baalke has already talked with Shanahan, which could be an indication that the interest is mutual. If that conversation didn’t go too well, there wouldn’t be any reason for the two sides to engage in an interview.
The interesting dynamic here is that Shanahan doesn’t necessarily fit the mold of a “young offensive mind” that its being reported the 49ers are interested in. He does, however, have success getting the most out of a mobile quarterback when he was the Redskins head coach back in 2012.
Shanahan may be best known for leading the Broncos to two Super Bowl titles in the 1990’s, but his ties to the 49ers organization are real.
He was San Francisco’s offensive coordinator from 1992-1994 before taking the Broncos head coaching job. During that span, the 49ers offense finished first in the NFL in scoring all three seasons.
At 62, there would be some concern over Shanahan’s capability of coaching the 49ers for an extended period of time. With that said, his son, Kyle, could very well join him in San Francisco should he take the job. That’s obviously pure conjecture on our part, and something would have to be worked out with the Cleveland Browns, who currently employ the younger Shanahan as the team’s offensive coordinator.
In addition to both Shanahan’s and Gase, the 49ers are said to be interested in Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, former NFL head coach Mike Holmgren, former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, among others.
Both Jim Tomsula and Vic Fangio, who are potential holdovers from the Jim Harbaugh regime, are also internal candidates for the head coaching job.
In casting a wide net, San Francisco is going to keep everyone guessing until it actually hires a head coach. But in reality, Shanahan could very well be seen as the favorite to land the job.
Photo: USA Today
