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Each year, the NFL distributes a list of recommended head coach candidates to prepare for Black Monday. We are going to see a host of coaches get fired when the season comes to an end in a little over a week, the NFL’s Career Development Advisory Panel provides a list of candidates to help get qualified names out there.
The list was distributed earlier this week, and it includes 12 current assistant coaches. The assistants include:
Matt Nagy, Chiefs OC
Josh McDaniels, Patriots OC
Matt Patricia, Patriots DC
Mike Vrabel, Texans DC
George Edwards, Vikings DC
Dan Campbell, Saints AHC/TEs
Dave Toub, Chiefs ST
John DeFilippo, Eagles QBs
Jim Schwartz, Eagles DC
Steve Wilks, Panthers DC
Jim Bob Cooter, Lions OC
Pat Shurmur, Vikings OC
It is not surprising nobody shows up from Kyle Shanahan’s coaching staff. His staff includes some veteran coaches, including offensive line coach John Benton and senior defensive assistant Jason Tarver. Neither has been on the head coach track, and the remaining coaches are all still young enough that they have some work to do to get further down that track.
Defensive quality control coach DeMeco Ryans could be on that track. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has worked his way up the ladder, and could be a name to watch in a couple years if the 49ers defense continues to progress. But for the most part, nobody is making a big move up at this point.
While the 49ers won’t lose a coach to one of the eventual head coach vacancies, I am curious to see what kind of turnover we do see. Kyle Shanahan was the last head coach fired due to the Atlanta Falcons Super Bowl appearance. He had guys like Bobby Turner who were on his list if he ever got a head coach job, but he also was left scrambling for some assistants given how late in the process he was operating.
Saleh appeared to be the third choice for DC behind Vic Fangio and Gus Bradley. It has worked out pretty well thus far, and I would be surprised if they went in a different direction at DC in 2018. Shanahan operates as his own OC, but will he stick with his assortment of offensive assistants, or will we see some shake-up?