Source: 49ers are Josh McDaniels’ preferred team
By Eric Branch Updated 6:56 pm, Friday, January 6, 2017

[www.sfgate.com]

Josh McDaniels’ preferred team is the 49ers if the Patriots’ offensive coordinator decides to leave New England to become a head coach, a source said.
McDaniels, 40, will interview with the 49ers, Rams and Jaguars on Saturday near the Patriots’ facility.

The 49ers, who are the only team with a general-manager opening, are appealing to McDaniels because of their clean-slate situation and CEO Jed York’s stated commitment to patiently rebuilding. It’s believed the 49ers’ status as a marquee franchise, despite their recent free-fall, also makes them more attractive than Los Angeles and Jacksonville.

It’s possible, of course, McDaniels’ preference could change after meeting with each team Saturday. McDaniels, who has served as New England’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach since 2012, is probably ready to take his second head-coaching position, the source said.

On Monday, York discussed having a long-term vision with the new regime, which will inherit the NFL’s second-most salary-cap space and 11 expected 2017 draft picks, including No. 2 overall. The 49ers are coming off a 2-14 season and have lost 29 of their past 37 games, dating to 2014.


“The decisions that we’re going to make are not going to be to have a quick fix, PR turnaround,” York said. “Go from a two-win team to an 8-8 team, but that’s going to falter and not get to where we need to go.”

McDaniels declined an interview with the 49ers in 2011, about a month after he was fired as Denver’s head coach with an 11-17 record. He spoke with the 49ers in 2015 before they hired Jim Tomsula.

Of the 49ers’ seven known head-coaching candidates, only McDaniels and Seattle offensive line coach Tom Cable have served as NFL head coaches on a non-interim basis.

The 49ers obviously are seeking a head coach and general manager who will form a collaborative partnership. They reportedly have requested an interview with New England director of player personnel Nick Caserio, although it’s not known if a meeting will occur. McDaniels and Caserio, who has been with the Patriots since 2001, were teammates at John Carroll University.

ESPN analyst and former NFL executive Louis Riddick, who reportedly will interview with the 49ers next week, has been an avid fan of McDaniels on social media. Riddick and McDaniels also have strong ties to New England head coach Bill Belichick. Riddick, 47, played for Belichick for three seasons during his six-year NFL playing career. McDaniels has spent 13 of his 16 seasons in the NFL with Belichick.

Riddick said Monday on air that York’s stated approach to rebuilding makes the 49ers an attractive destination and that he would take the job.
“He will give whoever is given that position the support and the time to get that done,” Riddick said.

The 49ers interviewed Vikings assistant general manager George Paton and Atlanta offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan on Friday.