© Tommy Gilligan | 2019 Dec 1
The 49ers’ three top assistant coaches are generating interest on the open market, just two days after the conclusion of the regular season.
The Cleveland Browns, who Adam Schefter reported Monday morning have interest in interviewing defensive coordinator Robert Saleh for their vacant head coaching position, are also interested in interviewing SF run game coordinator Mike McDaniel and and passing game coordinator Mike LaFleur for the position.
49ers’ run game coordinator Mike McDaniel also likely to interview with Browns, per source, though nothing set up just yet.
So the Browns could go to SF and interview Saleh, McDaniel and Mike LaFleur all in the same weekend.
Three 49ers coaches being eyed by the Browns.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 31, 2019
It’s unclear at this time if the Browns actually think all would be candidates for the head coaching job, or if they are interested in a package deal that would see two or three of the individuals join the Browns in different roles. The Browns are expected to travel to Santa Clara later this week to conduct their interviews.
McDaniel, 36, was the Browns wide receivers coach in 2014 under Kyle Shanahan, and has followed the 49ers head coach at all of his stops since they were both with the Redskins in 2011. Former wide receiver and current NFL analyst Andrew Hawkins says that multiple teams have inquired about McDaniel.
LaFleur was also on that Browns staff as a coaching intern and has followed Shanahan around since that season. He is the younger brother of Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. Neither McDaniel nor LaFleur have held a traditional offensive coordinator position at any level, with Shanahan acting as the de facto offensive coordinator with the 49ers.
The Browns are one of two NFL teams currently without a head coach after firing Freddie Kitchens, who went 6-10 in his lone season. The New York Giants are the other team without a coach after firing Pat Shurmer, although the situation with Jason Garrett in Dallas remains up in the air.