The San Francisco 49ers have two interviews scheduled for Tuesday, meeting with ESPN’s Louis Riddick and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott. Barring any breaking news about a Vance Joseph interview, they will then have five days before their next set of first interviews (Seahawks OL coach Tom Cable and executives Trent Kirchner & Scott Fitterer). In the meantime, they will likely be deciding who to interview a second time, or maybe if they even need to make such a decision.
One candidate who could be in the mix is Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. If one is to believe Bleacher Report NFL reporter Jason Cole, Shanahan could be firmly in the mix for the 49ers job.
Most likely landing spots for Kyle Shanahan, if he gets/takes a job, sound like #49ers or #Broncos. But always keep an eye on #Texans
— Jason Cole (@JasonColeBR) January 10, 2017
Kyle Shanahan has interviewed with the 49ers, Broncos, Rams, and Jaguars. The Denver Broncos have been rumored to be his preferred landing spot. His dad coached there, and former Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak gave Shanahan his first significant coaching role. Add in the Broncos already having a strong defense in place, and they could be viewed as the best job currently open.
The 49ers have interviewed a handful of candidate, and Josh McDaniels has been the primary connection thus far. Shanahan is doing big things in Atlanta and has been viewed with McDaniels as one of the best available candidates this offseason.
As for the Texans? They have not fired or traded head coach Bill O’Brien yet, but people continue to think it could be a thing. There were rumors a change might happen if Houston lost to Oakland in the wild card round. After the Texans won, owner Bob McNair said there was no truth to those rumors, but it sounds like they will remain out there through the Texans likely loss to the Patriots this weekend.