The San Francisco 49ers coaching search is getting underway, although Trent Baalke told the media on Monday the team does not have any interviews scheduled at this point. Names are quickly being attached to the job, with the likes of Sean Payton, Mike Shanahan, Chip Kelly, and Mike Holmgren all connected in one form or another. On Sunday, before the 49ers announced Jim Tomsula's firing, another intriguing name was added to the mix
Based on what my source told me, Hue Jackson sounds like the guy that Baalke wants though.
— Kyle McLorg (@Kyle_McLorgBASG) January 3, 2016
Earlier today, Albert Breer mentioned Hue Jackson as well.
If the Niners can't land Sean Payton, my sense is Bengals OC Hue Jackson is the name to watch. Worked with GM Trent Baalke in Washington.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 4, 2016
Jackson is currently the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals. He cannot interview with teams until the Bengals are eliminated from the playoffs, or in the Super Bowl bye week in two weeks. In the meantime, the 49ers will conduct various other interviews to consider their options.
Jackson has an extensive offensive history, having served in an offensive coordinator role for most of the last 18 years. He was the Oakland Raiders OC in 2010, and was promoted to head coach for the 2011 season, after the team fired Tom Cable. He went 8-8 his first year, and was promptly fired by new general manager Reggie McKenzie.
There are some questions about Jackson's ability to work well with others, but somebody who knows a thing or two about Jackson chimed in. Former Raiders CEO Amy Trask is active on Twitter, and she had this to say about Jackson. The Browns are reportedly interested in interviewing Jackson, but nobody else has been connected thus far. Given that the Bengals are in the playoffs, we'll wait and see what happens.
Dear Teams Looking For A Coach: Hue labored under challenges not known to the public & worked collaboratively (1/2) https://t.co/56HkvdRUwz
— Amy Trask (@AmyTrask) January 4, 2016
(2/2) w/all departments. If I owned a team, I would trust Hue to coach it, if had a son who played football, I would trust Hue to coach him.
— Amy Trask (@AmyTrask) January 4, 2016