The San Francisco 49ers continued their head-coaching search on Saturday by interviewing New England Patriots offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels.
McDaniels is the third candidate to interview for the position. He follows Buffalo Bills interim coach Anthony Lynn and Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. McDaniels previously interviewed with 49ers CEO Jed York for the team's head-coach opening in 2015.
A former NFL head coach with the Denver Broncos (2009-10), McDaniels has earned recognition for his two stints with the Patriots where he was a part of five AFC champion teams and won four Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX and XLIX). He's spent the past five seasons as New England's OC and QB coach, helping the franchise become one of the most dominant teams in the NFL. The Patriots have finished sixth or better in total offense during that five-year stretch.
In 2016, New England finished third in points scored per game (27.4), fourth in passing yards per game (269.3) and seventh in rushing yards per game (117.0). Twelve-time Pro Bowl quarterback Tom Brady is also a candidate to win his third Most Valuable Player award after throwing for 28 touchdowns and two interceptions in 12 games.
McDaniels, 40, has 15 years of NFL experience. He entered the league in 2001 as a personnel assistant. He was later hired as a defensive assistant in 2003 and was promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2004. The Patriots won Super Bowls in all three of those seasons. McDaniels added the offensive coordinator title in 2006. His second year as a play-caller saw New England break NFL records for points scored, touchdowns scored and most players scoring touchdowns.
McDaniels went 11-17 in his two-year stint as the Broncos head coach. His next job would be with the St. Louis Rams as OC and QB coach in 2011. He re-joined the Patriots the following season.
A native of Canton, Ohio, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, McDaniels is the son of respected prep football coach, Thom McDaniels. Josh McDaniels played quarterback and wide receiver at John Carroll University from 1995-98. He was a college teammate of NFL linebacker London Fletcher and Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio. Prior to joining the Patriots in 2001, McDaniels spent one season as a graduate assistant working under Nick Saban at Michigan State.
