Ryans, McDaniel to fill coordinator jobs
Robert Saleh is leaving the San Francisco 49ers for the New York Jets’ head coaching job and reportedly taking passing game coordinator Mike LaFleur and offensive line coach John Benton with him.
The 49ers didn’t look far to fill those roles, promoting linebackers coach DeMeco Ryans to defensive coordinator, run game coordinator Mike McDaniel to offensive coordinator, the 49ers confirmed. Chris Foerster is expected to be promoted to offensive line coach from an assistant line position, reports NFL Network’s Michael Silver.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan floated Ryans’ name as one atop his list for a defensive coordinator promotion while Saleh’s name swirled among the top candidates to land one of the many vacant head coaching jobs this season.
Ryans, 36, was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2006 and was named to two Pro Bowls in his 10year NFL as a linebacker for the Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles. He joined the 49ers coaching staff as their defensive quality control coach and was promoted to inside linebackers coach in 2018.
“DeMeco is well spoken. He’s got a lot of respect from his players. He’s incredibly intelligent. He’s a sponge for knowledge,” Saleh said of Ryans in December. “Even though he played in the league, I see him taking notes every day. Coach is talking, he’s taking notes. I’m talking, he’s taking notes. DB coach is talking, he’s taking notes.
“He’s an absolute sponge in that regard,” Saleh added. “It tells you he’s
not just going to take a system and go; he’s going to evolve. Because of that, he’s got a really good chance to evolve and be a head coach one day.”
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw said Ryans’ experience as a top linebacker gives him a unique coaching perspective.
“It’s a blessing and a curse,” Greenlaw said in December. “He knows everything that’s going on the field, like the back of his hand. He and Saleh are the leaders of the defense. By having played in that defense before, he knows what to expect and he does a good job explaining what he wants out of you.
“Everybody loves DeMeco because he’s going to coach you hard. Sometimes you may not like it, but he’ll motivate you and also tell
you if you’re doing good.”
McDaniel, 37, has been in the Shanahan coaching tree since he interned for Mike Shanahan’s Denver Broncos in 2005 and as an offensive assistant for the elder Shanahan’s Washington team in 2011. He worked as a wide receivers coach for the Falcons
alongside Kyle Shanahan, then Atlanta’s offensive coordinator, from 2015 to 2016, which included the Falcons’ 2016 Super Bowl appearance. The younger Shanahan brought McDaniel with him to San Francisco in 2017 as the team’s run-game coordinator.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk
tweeted his support of McDaniel’s promotion to offensive coordinator Monday:
“Absolute BEST in the game!! Nobody gets more out of his players than McDaniel! Most creative run scheme out there! So deserving of this promotion!!”
Foerster, 59, joined the 49ers from 2018 to 2019 as a consultant. He’ll reclaim the offensive line coaching job he held for the 49ers during their 2008, 2007 and 2015 seasons. He spent 2016-17 as the Miami Dolphins offensive line coach, and resigned to undergo treatment for substance abuse.
In his 28-year NFL coaching career, Foerster has also served as offensive line coach in Washington, Baltimore and Tampa Bay as well as offensive coordinator for the Dolphins in 2004.