New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, largely considered to be the favorite for the 49ers' vacancy at head coach, is dropping out of contention for the job, per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.
Huge news - Josh McDaniels very unlikely to take the 49ers job. Set to bow out from consideration and remain with the Patriots
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 16, 2017
McDaniels has given the 49ers situation much consideration and his dropping out not a reflection on them, just a personal decision ...
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 16, 2017
La Canfora calls the decision by McDaniels a personal one. The move comes just one day after Pro Football Talk reported that McDaniels was conflicted about the 49ers job, yet had been contacting potential assistants around the league, urging them to remain available. After all, his Patriots moved on in the playoffs with their win over the Houston Texans on Saturday and are a favorite in the AFC to make the playoffs.
"That said, others believe McDaniels is conflicted about the job," wrote Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "He has four young children, and there's a strong desire to not uproot the family for a short-term stint on the other side of the country. As the Broncos coach in 2009 and most of 2010, McDaniels didn't even two full seasons to turn around the Broncos. Given San Francisco's recent trend of parting ways with coaches (three left in roughly 24 months), there's legitimate concern that McDaniels possibly won't be coaching for an extended period of time."
"At this time, it's best for my family and myself to remain here (in New England)." McDaniels said on Monday via a conference call.
The announcement means that Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, whose team also remains in the playoffs, and recently interviewed Seattle Seahawks assistant head coach and offensive line coach Tom Cable are the known remaining candidates for the job. Shanahan defaults to the likely favorite for the 49ers and their fans. The Falcons will host the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game this weekend. A Falcons win and the 49ers wait will have to continue. A loss means that the 49ers would be able to hire Shanahan immediately.
Another candidate that impressed the 49ers are former Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Sean McVay. However, he was hired to be the new head coach of the Los Angeles Rams. Already the youngest coordinator in the league, the hire made McVay, who is the son of former 49ers general manager John McVay, the youngest head coach in the history of the NFL.
Everything we have heard indicated that 49ers CEO Jed York, who is leading the search, had a desire to base the team's rebuild on the Patriots, who have enjoyed long-lasting success. York has reportedly been a fan of McDaniels for years, but it was always former general manager Trent Baalke leading the head coaching searches. This was an excellent opportunity for York to finally get his guy, but that has apparently come to an end.
McDaniels has head coaching experience having served in the role with the Denver Broncos from 2009 until 2010. He had two stints with the Patriots as their offensive coordinator. The first was from 2006 until 2008 and the second was after the Patriots hired McDaniels to act as an offensive assistant during their 2011 season playoff run. He replaced offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien in 2012 and has been with the Patriots since. Prior to that, McDaniels was the offensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams in 2011.