One “outside the box” name that has been floated for the San Francisco 49ers general manager position is ESPN analyst Louis Riddick. There are no reports of an interview planned, but several reports suggest the 49ers want to consider him for the job.
On Monday, Riddick discussed the 49ers job in a couple of segments. He suggested it could be the most appealing job because they are bringing in both a new GM and new head coach. Jed York talked about establishing a better culture and spending whatever is necessary to turn things around. Riddick specifically said that if York actually follows through on that, it could be a strong option. Here are two videos and transcripts of what Riddick had to say.
Louis Riddick believes many GM prospects will find #49ers job the most appealing. A job with a clean slate, GM & HC. pic.twitter.com/0jpdjiF1V2
— NinerNabs (@NinerNabs49) January 2, 2017
Right now I think the most appealing job is the one where you’re going to be able to go in and start fresh with a GM and a head coach, and where they’re really gonna let you build it, and put in the foundation, and then let everything build and rise from there. Which to me, even though it’s a daunting task given the fact that personnel-wise this roster has been depleted, I like the situation that is coming to bear in San Francisco. I like what Jed York is trying to do as far as saying, hey look, I tried to piece-meal this thing together over the past three years.
@Brndnj0n3s @JohnMiddlekauff @kalae_deuce here's what he said if you guys missed it pic.twitter.com/vqJ0KW1l6w
— R M (@rmad49) January 3, 2017
I think he will need to be patient, he already said he will be patient. He will give, whoever is given that position, the support and the time to get that done. So, I think in that way, when we come full circle with it, it winds up becoming a very attractive situation, as long as he makes good on everything he said he would.
“Would you take the job?”
[Laugh]. Sure I would ... There’s not a whole lot of impediments to the success there, provided that he makes good on everything that he says, and why wouldn’t you take him at this word? I think you see a guy who understands that, look, I’ve gotten some things wrong. I mean, really, what else do you want him to say. You want him to tear his shirt off and say, hey, what do you wanna do? You wanna mark me? What do you wanna do? I think he is kinda laying it out there, again, to be judged in the future if he doesn’t do what he says he’s gonna do. So, what more do you want?
Riddick played defensive back in the NFL for seven seasons, entering the league as a 1991 ninth round pick of the San Francisco 49ers. He began his front office career in 2001, serving as a scout with Washington from 2001 to 2004. He was promoted to director of pro personnel in 2005, a role he held until 2007. He moved on to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008 as a scout. He was promoted to assistant director of pro personnel in 2009, and then spent 2010 to 2013 as director of pro personnel.
It seems like if the 49ers decide they really want Riddick to run things, they could make it happen. It is possible they interview him and he comes away uncertain about how things will proceed, but if an interview goes well, he clearly seems interested.