As the 49ers GM search and subsequent head coach search moves past the 2010 NFL regular season, events are transpiring around the league that may or may not have an effect on the 49ers business. Reports are coming in related to Jason Garrett, Jeff Fisher, and Leslie Frazier among others that could impact the 49ers search if Jim Harbaugh does not end up working out. There are certain candidates in the mix among these people, but coaching decisions also open or close the number of jobs available to new head coaches. If the 49ers have to expand their eventual head coach search, this is particularly pertinent.
Jay Glazer tweeted yesterday afternoon that Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams would meet with senior team officials to figure out Jeff Fisher's future. Whether this has to do with Vince Young or the Titans overall poor performance this year, Fisher is a guy folks have mentioned interest in here at Niners Nation. If the 49ers coach search expanded beyond Jim Harbaugh and Bud Adams cuts him loose, I'd imagine Fisher would at least be in the ballpark as an option. Whether that leads to an interview is another question entirely.
Tre's update: Peter King also said he expects the 49ers to go after Fisher as the second option if Harbaugh doesn't pan out.
Numerous reports are coming out of Dallas that Jerry Jones is all but set to remove the interim tag and name Jason Garrett the next head coach of the Cowboys. The only impact this would have had would have been the Cowboys joining the head coaching fray. Now they can move on and go about their business.
The stories out of Minnesota indicate Leslie Frazier will soon have the interim tag removed as well and become the full-time head coach. Again, this just removes one more coaching vacancy from the table.
Some late news yesterday has Al Davis thinking about not picking up Tom Cable's option before the January 18 deadline. The Raiders finished 8-8, which is their best record since 2002, but not making the playoffs apparently could do in Cable. Personally I'd bring him back next year and see if he could build on this year's momentum, but Al Davis marches to his own beat, so who knows what they'll do. If Cable does get the axe, suddenly the Bay Area is ripe with coaching opportunities. Only, candidates could work for a shaky ownership group in the Yorks or a crazy owner in Al Davis.
Things should heat up further today in the 49ers GM search, which in turn will kick-start the coach search. The Orange Bowl kicks off later this afternoon, which means we're that much closer to some sort of resolution of the Jim Harbaugh situation. Michigan has yet to fire Rich Rodriguez, although that could be resolved fairly quickly today or in the next couple days. Once that happens things could get pretty crazy.
Tre's other note: Adam Schefter tweeted that he's hearing 49ers will pursue Marvin Lewis if let go by the Bengals, also. Great point by a twitter follower though: this is probably to satisfy Rooney Rule.