Referee Hussey has been golden for 49ers, Eagles
When the 49ers launched their 12game win streak back on Oct. 30 in Los Angeles, they did so with John Hussey serving as the referee.
When the 49ers last won the NFC championship, Hussey was the referee in that January 2020 rout of Green Bay at Levi’s Stadium.
Hussey, the NFL announced Tuesday, will referee Sunday’s NFC championship between the 49ers (15-4) and host Eagles (153) at Lincoln Financial Field. Kickoff is at noon PT.
The Eagles have fond memories of Hussey, too. They are 6-0 in games refereed by him, including an
October win this season in which his crew called 10 penalties on the Cowboys and two on the Eagles in their 2617 win in Philadelphia.
AP SOURCE: COLTS STILL WANT TO INTERVIEW RYANS >> The Indianapolis Colts still want to interview 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans for their head coach vacancy, and are planning to give Jeff Saturday a second interview along with six or seven other candidates, a person familiar with the team’s plans told The Associated Press.
Ryans had an interview planned with the Colts last week, but had to postpone to focus on preparation for San Francisco’s divisional playoff game against the Cowboys.
Ryans interviewed with the Texans and Broncos, but also had to postpone with the Cardinals. The Panthers also are interested in Ryans.
The window for first interviews with teams has closed for now so he’ll have to wait until San Francisco’s season is over to speak with the Colts, Cardinals and Panthers.
AP SOURCE: O’BRIEN AGREES TO RETURN AS PATRIOTS OC >> Bill O’Brien has agreed to return to the Patriots as their offensive coordinator, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press.
O’Brien spent the past two seasons as offensive coordinator for the University of Alabama. Before that he was the head coach of the Houston Texans from 2014 to 2020, leading them to four playoff appearances before being fired in 2020 after an 0-4 start.
He also served as Penn State’s coach from 2012 and 2013. That followed a four-year stint as a Patriots assistant in which he coached receivers and quarterbacks before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2011. That season New England finished ranked third in points and second in yards.