Over the past few weeks, we’ve heard plenty from Mike Nolan about the San Francisco 49ers. Well, now he has a new job, albeit not with the 49ers. Nolan is joining the New Orleans Saints as linebackers coach. Nolan served as LB coach in San Diego in 2015, and three years as defensive coordinator in Atlanta before that.
I did not expect Nolan to be a candidate for Kyle Shanahan’s coaching staff, but his departure from the open market does leave me wondering who will end up as Shanahan’s defensive coordinator. There have been reports he was interested in Gus Bradley and Vic Fangio. Those followed a report Dan Quinn is unlikely to let him poach assistants from the Falcons. That would include someone like Raheem Morris, who might have made sense as DC.
There are a handful of names out there, with some fans and media types suggesting Jim Haslett as a candidate. Jason Tarver is always a possibility as well. He interviewed for the Saints LB job, and does have some DC experience. He was not overly popular as the Oakland Raiders DC, so I imagine that would not go over too well. But any other names that jump out at you?