There’s a clear favorite in the San Francisco 49ers coaching derby. It’s probably who you’re thinking of too. Yes, it’s likely the same guy you thought was the leading candidate when Jim Harbaugh was let go and the job opened up.
At least one sports book has set odds on who the front-runner is to replace Harbaugh.
Related: 8 San Francisco 49ers Head Coaching Candidates
Odds on becoming San Francisco 49ers head coach, via MyTopSports.com
Vic Fangio (San Francisco DC): 3/1
Dan Quinn (Seattle DC): 5/1
Mike Shanahan (head coach of Washington in 2013): 8/1
Let’s take a look at the leading San Francisco 49ers coaching candidates
Vic Fangio, Defensive Coordinator, San Francisco 49ers
Has the support of the Niners locker rooms. Likely the co-frontrunner among in-house candidates. He has the Bruce Arians type feel as a potential “break through” candidate. Time to buy in low when you can; possibly
Dan Quinn, Defensive Coordinator, Seattle Seahawks
Last year, he could have landed a job, if he wanted. However, he declined to even interview for the Cleveland Browns job. His predecessor, Gus Bradley was given a head coaching gig in Jacksonville. This year, people are in his ear saying it’s time. Got to sell when your stock price is still high, right? Has interviewed with the Niners and Jets; Falcons interview is scheduled.
What about Mike Shanahan?
Chris Simms of CBS Sports on Shanahan: “It makes a lot of sense for Mike Shanahan to go to the San Francisco 49ers. They’re looking for an offensive guy there to restart Colin Kaepernick, get that passing offense together. What a (great) candidate in Mike Shanahan. You look at what he has done in his career with unproven quarterbacks… (The San Francisco 49ers have a) struggling Colin Kaepernick and you still want to stay at that elite level like San Francisco does, and can if they get a top notch coach in there? Mike Shanahan would be my hire all the way.”
We outlined the reason and logic behind Mike Shanahan becoming the next Bears Coach back in week 17.
And yes, we chronicled, the ties that bind in that scenario do revolve Jay Cutler, the “don’t care bear.”
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his feature stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on KOZN 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2