49ers coaching rumors: Would Gus Malzahn, Jim Mora intrigue you?

The San Francisco 49ers coaching search has seemingly quieted down to some extent as interviews are processed. Teryl Austin is scheduled to interview on Thursday, and Todd Bowles is scheduled to interview on Friday. This would seemingly draw this coaching search out beyond the initial 7-10 day window Trent Baalke suggested last week.

The 49ers have cast a wide net in their search, and there are at least some basic rumors that it might be a little larger. A Bleacher Report draft writer says he has a friend who claimed the 49ers reached out to Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn. I've heard second-hand that the writer is not one to just throw stuff out there, but feel free to take it with a grain of salt.

There have been numerous rumors about the future of UCLA head coach Jim Mora Jr. There have been reports the 49ers are interested, and there are also reports he is interviewing with the New York Jets. Mora was the 49ers secondary coach in 1997 and 1998, and then took over as defensive coordinator from 1999 to 2003.

I suppose at this point we might as well include every possible name on the list of 49ers candidates. College candidates have been fairly inconspicuous thus far. My gut says the 49ers go through this whole process only to promote an internal candidate, but I suppose anything is possible.

Would going back to the college well work for you? Mora is a defensive-oriented guy, while Malzahn is considered a great offensive mind. Could the 49ers potentially hit on successive college coaches? Jim Harbaugh and Chip Kelly have proven the college ranks are not devoid of NFL caliber coaching talent, but could they be an exception to the rule? We can even potentially remove Harbaugh given his playing history and brief time as an NFL assistant before heading to the college ranks.

Whatever the case, thoughts on the college options?