The San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns are two of the teams in the mix for the services of Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson. The Miami Dolphins were scheduled to interview him, but have since hired Adam Gase.
Jackson has a strong chance of earning one of the two jobs, if he is so inclined, and that means he will begin the process of putting together a coaching staff. Until he is actually hired, there is only so much upon which we can speculate. Albert Breer had some thoughts earlier today:
Hue Jackson interviews with 49ers and Browns tomorrow. If he lands one, Vance Joseph will be a target as DC, Mike Solari perhaps as OC.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 9, 2016
The 49ers wanted to interview Vance Joseph for their defensive coordinator role last year, but the Cincinnati Bengals turned them down. There are already reports that Joseph is likely headed to Miami with Adam Gase:
Am told hiring of @Bengals DBs coach Vance Joseph as new @MiamiDolphins DC is "done deal." Official once CIN done in playoffs @NFLonFOX
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) January 9, 2016
Assts joining Vance Joseph's staff @Bengals Matt Burke (LBs) #Bears Clint Hurt (DL) #Cowboys Jerome Henderson (DBs) source tells @NFLonFOX
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) January 9, 2016
Joseph and Jackson have a playoff game today, but if the Bengals lose, I do wonder if Jackson will be able to swing Joseph to his staff, wherever that might be. And Joseph has 49ers connections, having served as assistant defensive backs coach in 2005, and DB coach from 2006 to 2010. He went on to serve as DB coach in Houston from 2011 to 2013, and in Cincinnati the last two seasons.
As for Solari? It's an odd connection, but given Jackson's own offensive background, I imagine any offensive coordinator will be implementing his offensive philosophy. It remains to be seen whether or not Jackson would handle play-calling as well, but to some extent, the offensive coordinator role might not be quite as significant as it should have been for say, Jim Tomsula.
None of this will matter to 49ers fans if Jackson ends up landing in Cleveland or sticking in Cincinnati. But it's a little something to ponder as the coach search continues.