The San Francisco 49ers are looking for a new coach again. We all saw this coming for quite some time. Jim Harbaugh, despite his stellar record and the phenomenal rebuilding job that he accomplished had to leave the Niners. Since last year, it became clear that the San Francisco 49ers players wanted him OUT!
So who’s next?
(Update Fangio emerges as front-runner)
In no particular order:
Jim Tomsula, Defensive Line Coach, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers players like him best, or so we’re told. Likely the co-frontrunner among in-house candidates. However, DL Coach to Head honcho is a really big leap.
Vic Fangio, Defensive Coordinator, San Francisco 49ers
Has the support of the Niners locker rooms. Likely the co-frontrunner among in-house candidates. He has the Bruce Arians type feel as a potential “break through” candidate. Time to buy in low when you can; possibly.
Adam Gase, Defensive Coordinator, Denver Broncos
He actually made Tim Tebow look like a real NFL quarterback. Sure it was only for a few games, but even the New England Patriots phenomenal coaching staff couldn’t accomplish that miracle. Gase’s taking Peyton Manning to a new level of transcendence makes him one of the hottest prospects this coaching carousel.
It’s been reported he’s a front-runner for the Niners job.
Dan Quinn, Defensive Coordinator, Seattle Seahawks
Last year, he could have landed a job, if he wanted. However, he declined to even interview for the Cleveland Browns job. His predecessor, Gus Bradley was given a head coaching gig in Jacksonville. This year, people are in his ear saying it’s time. Got to sell when your stock price is still high, right? Has interviewed with the Niners and Jets; Falcons interview is scheduled.
Josh McDaniels, Offensive Coordinator, New England Patriots
It’s called a “coaching carousel” because it keeps going around and around. It’s cyclical. McDaniels is as cyclical as it gets. He flamed out as Denver Broncos Head Coach, but now his reputation his restored. He’s like a professional less extreme version of Lane Kiffin in that regard. He didn’t reach as high as Kiffin or fall from grace like he did, but he’s done some significant image CPR.
Rex Ryan, former New York Jets Head Coach
His future is either on television as a studio analyst, or with the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers or Oakland Raiders. there’s been claims he already has interviews scheduled with the Niners and Falcons.
We know Rex Ryan can handle the big market microscope too.
However, we also know that Ryan’s candor plays well on television, as evidenced by that season of HBO “Hard Knocks.” So when the Jets dismiss him, he’ll have a high-paying, cushy TV analyst gig available. He’s the NFL version of Ozzie Guillen. Ryan might want to take a much lower stress vocation for awhile. Then maybe get back to coaching down the road.
Jim Mora, Head Coach, UCLA
Former Head Coach of the Seattle Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons, spent seven years with the San Francisco 49ers as a defensive assistant. Has turned the Bruins around very quickly. Has a good thing going in Westwood, but money does indeed talk.
David Shaw, Head Coach, Stanford
Like Hansel in the comedy Zoolander, “he’s so hot right now. Football coaching wise, everything connected to Stanford is very trendy right. I believe Shaw will stay however.
Chicago Bears Head Coaching Candidates
New York Jets Head Coaching Candidates
Oakland Raiders Head Coaching Candidates
San Francisco 49ers Head Coaching Candidates
Atlanta Falcons Head Coaching Candidates
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his feature stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on KOZN 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2