The San Francisco 49ers are interviewing Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott on Tuesday, marking their first interview with a defensive coaching candidate. We can now add a second one. Adam Schefter is reporting the 49ers have scheduled an interview with Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph for Thursday.
Schefter offered up one caveat on the interview. Joseph is in Denver on Tuesday interviewing with the Broncos. They have interviewed Dave Toub and Kyle Shanahan, and there were reports Shanahan was particularly interested in the job. But Schefter’s report would suggest they might be particularly interested in Joseph.
The last impression for Joseph was not a great one. The Pittsburgh Steelers had little trouble with his Dolphins defense this past weekend. Antonio Brown had two touchdowns in the first quarter, and Le’Veon Bell rushed for 167 yards in the game. It is worth noting the Dolphins were missing three members of their secondary.
Joseph started his career in the college ranks, but got his first job with the 49ers. He was assistant defensive backs coach in 2005, and then defensive backs coach from 2006 to 2010. He was defensive backs coach for the Houston Texans from 2011 to 2013, and then the Cincinnati Bengals from 2014 to 2015. The 49ers tried to interview him for their defensive coordinator role after the 2014 season, but were denied. He became Dolphins DC in 2016.