:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52770913/630211868.0.jpg)
In 2011, the San Francisco 49ers hired a high-profile college head coach to take over the team, just like the Seattle Seahawks did a year earlier. Consider that their GM from 2008 to 2009, Scot McCloughan, was someone they hired out of the Seahawks front office. They even installed Colin Kaepernick as their dangerous dual-threat, read option type quarterback, three months after Seattle had gone down that road with Russell Wilson.
The 49ers want to be the Seahawks. And that’s continuing in their search for a new head coach, GM, and perhaps even defensive coordinator.
On Sunday, San Francisco owner Jed York interviewed Seattle assistant Tom Cable about their head coaching vacancy. York could also be tapping Seahawks execs Trent Kirchner and Scott Fitterer to replace Trent Baalke as GM.
(1/2) 49ers interviewing Seattle front office men Trent Kirchner and Scott Fitterer for open GM job. @gmfb @NFLonFOX
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) January 16, 2017
As if that wasn’t enough, Mike Silver is reporting that the only thing keeping Gus Bradley, Seattle’s former defensive coordinator, from accepting that position under Anthony Lynn with the Los Angeles Chargers is the fact that he’s waiting to see if Cable lands in San Francisco.
Chargers coach Anthony Lynn is pressing Gus Bradley for decision on DC job. But Bradley wants ro hold off to see if 49ers hire Tom Cable.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 16, 2017
Imagine that. The 49ers could have a GM, head coach, and defensive coordinator who all come from the Seattle tree. It’s pretty clear that even if they hire none of these guys, the Niners have a direction in mind: Beat the Seahawks at their own game.
That hasn’t worked out lately. I think they’d instead need to find a way to lure Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson ... and Paul Allen to the Bay. I don’t think that’s happening.