The San Francisco 49ers have an interview scheduled with Buffalo Bills assistant coach/running backs coach Anthony Lynn, and according to multiple reports, it is set for Thursday in New York City. Rand Getlin reported the interview is scheduled for Thursday, with Lynn meeting with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday. Peter Schrager is reporting the interview will take place in New York City because the 49ers are in town for owners' meetings on Wednesday and Thursday.
Most of the comments regarding Lynn have been that he is a Rooney Rule interview, and nothing more. I personally don't know much about Lynn, so I contacted Brian Galliford from Buffalo Rumblings. He had this to say:
I'll be honest, David, I don't know a lick about the guy's coaching ability. He's only been here for a year. Buffalo did have the top-ranked rushing offense in the NFL this season, and they milked production out of rookie Karlos Williams and an obscure practice squad signing, Mike Gillislee, so that probably reflects favorably on him.
Rex Ryan has also spoken very highly of him in the past. But then, Rex speaks highly of just about everybody. Lynn has worked for Rex for the last seven years; he came over to the Bills from the Jets just like Rex did a year ago now.
He actually turned down coordinator interviews last year to stick with Rex, if I recall correctly. Jacksonville and Cleveland, maybe? Might want to double-check that. But I'm 90 percent certain.
Could be that Rex lured him to Buffalo with the Assistant HC title and a promise that he'd help him try to land a top gig, but that's just me speculating.
I would like to hope this is more than just an easy attempt to satisfy the Rooney Rule, but given his lack of coordinator experience, it's unfortunately difficult to not be skeptical of the intentions of the 49ers and Dolphins with this interview. Lynn has worked extensively as a running backs coach, and had the assistant head coach tag added this year. This is not to say Lynn would not be successful as a head coach, but given the 49ers recent experience with Jim Tomsula, it's hard to get excited about a candidate with primarily positional coaching experience.