The San Francisco 49ers began their head-coaching search on Wednesday by interviewing Buffalo Bills interim head coach Anthony Lynn.
Lynn is the first candidate to interview with the 49ers this offseason following the dismissal of Chip Kelly. The Bills coach was also a reported 49ers coaching candidate in 2015.
Lynn, 48, has 17 years of NFL coaching experience and five seasons of playing experience under his belt, including a two-year stint with the 49ers (1995-96).
Lynn spent the past two seasons with the Buffalo Bills as an assistant head coach/running backs coach. Lynn was elevated to the position of offensive coordinator early in the 2016 season and finished the year as Buffalo's interim head coach. The Bills finished the regular season ranked first in rushing yards (2,630) and rushing yards per game (164.4), plus ranked 10th in points per game (24.9).
Lynn's other coaching experience in the NFL include stops as an assistant head coach/running backs coach with the New York Jets (2012-2014), running backs coach for the Jets (2009-11), running backs coach for the Cleveland Browns (2007-08), running backs coach for the Dallas Cowboys (2005-06), running backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars (2003-04) and offensive assistant/assistant to special teams with the Denver Broncos (2000-02).
Prior to his coaching career, Lynn played five years as a running back and special teams contributor in the NFL. The Texas Tech product entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants in 1992 but was released after training camp. He later signed on with the Denver Broncos in 1993 and appeared in 13 games. Lynn was placed on Injured Reserve in 1994. He joined San Francisco the following season for a two-year period. Lynn rushed for a career-high 164 yards on 24 carries in 1996. He then returned to the Broncos for a three-year stint, where he won back-to-back Super Bowl Championships (XXXII, XXXIIII).
