The 49ers were searching for their fourth head coach in as many years after firing Chip Kelly and general manager Trent Baalke. McDermott was one of several coaches up for the vacancy.
"I really enjoyed my interaction with them," McDermott said. "You could tell that they were headed in the right direction, just philosophically, how they wanted to do it, and I had a lot of respect for my interaction with them. And I thought it was a very positive interaction just in terms of that. Like I said, a very thorough approach by them, and a very long interview process there.
"Again, I think they came out with two candidates in Kyle (Shanahan) and John (Lynch), obviously, in what they've been able to do and build there."
A day after interviewing with the 49ers, it was reported that the Bills were set to hire McDermott. The 49ers, as McDermott stated, eventually hired former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who has helmed the team since.
Added McDermott of Shanahan: "He's one of the best coaches in the NFL."
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Will the 49ers move on from Brock Purdy, Kyle Shanahan? One NFL insider believes they will not
"The season is lost, but the 49ers are still building around coach and QB." Those are the words of The Athletic's Dianna Russini in her latest NFL column, in which she writes that despite the San Francisco 49ers horrid season, the team is sticking to its plan of committing to... -
49ers mailbag: What do the 49ers have left in the tank for the last four games? Will SF bring back Robert Saleh? Can Brock Purdy beat good teams?
It's always a big week when the San Francisco 49ers play the Los Angeles Rams. In 2021, the rivalry became even bigger when the 49ers had to win in the season's final week, in Los Angeles, to make it into the playoffs. On Thursday night, the 49ers must win again to keep their... -
49ers vs. Rams injury updates: Ji'Ayir Brown questionable to return
The San Francisco 49ers entered Thursday night's NFC West showdown against the Los Angeles Rams without key players, most notably left tackle Trent Williams, who is sidelined for the fourth straight game with an ankle injury. On defense, standout rookie safety Malik Mustapha... -
Bears D-lineman fined for hit on 49ers QB Brock Purdy
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy briefly left last weekend's game against the Chicago Bears after a brutal hit from defensive end Darrell Taylor in the third quarter. Although Purdy returned after missing just one play and appeared to be fine, the NFL deemed Taylor's...