Three-time Pro Bowl selection Kyle Juszczyk, the best fullback in the NFL, sounded relieved on Friday morning that San Francisco 49ers run-game coordinator Mike McDaniel is staying put. A report from Andrew Hawkins on Thursday stated that multiple teams were expressing interest in McDaniel for potential offensive coordinator jobs.
Matt Barrows of The Athletic later reported that the Arizona Cardinals were among the teams to inquire about McDaniel and the 49ers denied their request to interview him. The 49ers will likely do the same for any other team making the same request, which as Barrows points out, shows how much head coach Kyle Shanahan values having McDaniel on his coaching staff.
Source: Arizona Cardinals asked, but were denied, permission to interview #49ers run game coord. Mike McDaniel for their OC position. McDaniel is one of Kyle Shanahan's right-hand guys, especially in game planning. Shows how valuable he is to the offense.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) January 10, 2019
Here was Juszczyk's response, which shows just how much the players value McDaniel as a coach.
My guy ain't going anywhere!
— Kyle Juszczyk (@JuiceCheck44) January 11, 2019
Running backs Jerick McKinnon and Matt Breida are also fans.
Say it louder for the people in the back Juice !
— Jerick Mckinnon (@JetMckinnon1) January 11, 2019
Never said it better Juice man!
— Matt Breida (@MattBreida) January 11, 2019
If you are wondering how an NFL team can deny a coach an opportunity at what should be considered a promotion, our friend Benjamin Allbright explained it well. NFL teams place coaches within two categories: head coaches and assistants. Only head coaching opportunities given to assistants must be permitted.
The interest in McDaniel could potentially land him a title change and pay raise in San Francisco. There is also the possibility that he loves working with Shanahan and the 49ers and doesn't want to leave. If an assistant really wanted to go elsewhere, Shanahan doesn't seem the type to force him to stay.
Mike is brilliant. Doubt Kyle Shanahan would let him go for anything but a really, really good opportunity. https://t.co/sRp2GEVi7L
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 10, 2019
McDaniel is preparing to enter his third season with San Francisco. The 49ers rushed for a combined 1,902 yards in 2018, which ranked No. 13 in the NFL.
