NBC Sports Matt Maiocco reported that the San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker coach DeMeco Ryans isn’t the only coach on the staff who is in line for a promotion. Ryans is expected to be promoted to defensive coordinator, which Maiocco confirmed.
With Saleh set to take Mike LaFleur with him to run the Jets’ offense, that leaves a vacancy on the Niners staff. Maiocco said that McDaniel is expected to be elevated to offensive coordinator and take on more responsibility:
McDaniel, 37, the 49ers’ run game coordinator, was seen as a candidate for some of the offensive coordinator positions around the league. But he is in line to remain with the 49ers as Shanahan’s top offensive assistant, the source said.
Shanahan is not likely to relinquish play-calling duties, but McDaniel could take on more responsibility with the departure of LaFleur.
On Thursday, the Dolphins reportedly listed McDaniel as a candidate for their opening for an offensive coordinator. McDaniel could still interview for Miami’s vacancy. Still, I’m curious if Shanahan giving McDaniel the OC title in San Francisco is enough to keep him in the Bay Area, at least for another year.
If there was a coordinator, the 49ers wanted to hold onto; it’s McDaniel. He’s played a big part in the team’s running game going to another level, both statistically and from a creative point of view.
Instead of promoting one of the offensive assistants like Bobby Slowik or Brian Fleury, or QB coach Shane Day, you could put more on McDaniel’s plate. Rich Scangarello is a popular name that the internet has floated around, but we don’t know if Scangarello left on good terms or if the 49ers would even want him back. Giving McDaniel the offensive coordinator title would be the simplest way to fill the position without opening up another job if San Francisco plans to continue to promote from within.
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