McDaniels staying put
Removes name from SF search
The job search is done for Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. He will remain in New England and no longer is a candidate for the vacant head coaching job in San Francisco.
McDaniels confirmed on a conference call yesterday he intends to be back with the Patriots next season.
“I was really impressed with (49ers owner) Jed York and (team executives) Paraag (Marathe) and Brian (Hampton), the people that came from the 49ers organization,” McDaniels said. “They did a great job with their presentation. Again, humbled to be included in that process.
“At this time, it’s just best for my family and myself to remain here in New England and focus on this year’s playoffs and finish out the year however it turns out,” he added minutes after reports emerged he would no longer be a candidate to coach the 49ers.
McDaniels had three head coaching interviews earlier this month. The two others were with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who hired interim coach Doug Marrone, and the Los Angeles Rams, who went with 30-year-old former Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Sean McVay.
During the course of this season, McDaniels’ name had been one of the hotter ones in coaching circles because of his work with not just quarterback Tom Brady but backups Jimmy Garoppolo and rookie Jacoby Brissett. During Brady’s four-game Deflategate suspension, McDaniels helped Garoppolo and Brissett lead the team to a 3-1 start, creatively working around the skill sets of each young signal-caller.
The Patriots offense ranked third in the league in points scored and fourth in yards gained during the regular season. The Pats were tops in the AFC in both categories.
McDaniels had one other head coaching stint with the Denver Broncos from 2009-10. He was fired after going 11-17.
Had McDaniels taken the reins in San Francisco, he would have faced a steep rebuilding job. The 49ers were 2-14 this season and fired coach Chip Kelly after just one year along with general manager Trent Baalke.
Whoever takes the job in San Francisco will be the team’s fourth head coach in four years, which makes the type of instability from the top down a risky proposition for anyone looking to turn the team’s fortunes around.
With the possibility of taking a new job out of the way, McDaniels expressed confidence in being able to concentrate on the task at hand with the Patriots.
“I’ve always said how grateful I am for this opportunity to work here for (owner Bob) Kraft and his family and coach under Bill (Belichick) with a lot of great guys on our staff and to have the privilege with the players we work with each day,” McDaniels said. “It’s a great opportunity. Very thankful to be here and very much looking forward to this week against Pittsburgh.”