NFL coordinators - tasked with developing and implementing scheme, placed in charge of their own large section of the roster and a number of coach underlings, answering only to the head coach - are often among the first names floated as top candidates rumored to fill new vacancies at the top level each and every offseason.
The San Francisco 49ers, all but certain to jettison their current head coach in two short weeks, are apparently taking a look at a couple of offensive coordinators viewed around the league as "offensive specialists": New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase.
"Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports that the team is expected to look for a young offensive specialist to take over the team," wrote Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com. "Mort specifically mentioned Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase."
McDaniels, in his second stint with the Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick, served as head coach of the Denver Broncos from 2009-2010. He led the team to an 11-17 overall record in his two seasons at the helm after finding immense initial success and racing out to a 6-0 mark.
Unfortunately for McDaniels, his tenure in Denver was probably most well-known for the decision to select quarterback Tim Tebow with a first-round pick.
Gase, along with quarterback Peyton Manning, has helmed the Broncos to an 11-3 record and first place in the AFC West this season. They're fifth in the league in scoring and fourth in yards, despite sustaining a serious number of injuries at the running back position and dealing with an offensive line performing well below expectation.
Denver made it to the Super Bowl last season and has similar aspirations this year.
Should Mortensen's report prove accurate, it would be almost the exact opposite approach to filling the head coaching vacancy San Francisco used in 2011 before hiring Jim Harbaugh. Bill Parcells, a defensive-minded coach if there ever was one, notes in his recent memoir that the Niners attempted to hire him to take over the head spot before ultimately giving the position to Harbaugh.
