Report: Penn State won’t offer job to Roman

Penn State apparently has decided, again, to pass on making Greg Roman its head coach.

On Wednesday night, ESPN reported that the school will offer Vanderbilt’s James

Franklin the job in Happy Valley on Thursday.

The network had reported earlier Wednesday that the school had interviewed the 49ers’ offensive coordinator for the second time in just more than two years Monday in Chicago. The interview was conducted after the 49ers’ win at Green Bay on Sunday.

During the 2011 season, Penn State conducted a phone interview with Roman as it searched for Joe Paterno’s successor. The school eventually hired Bill O’Brien, who recently left to become the Houston Texans’ head coach.

Roman, a native of Ventnor City, N.J., which is about 250 miles from State College, Pa., has called the position at Penn State a “lifetime job.”

Roman reportedly is still a candidate for head-coaching openings with Minnesota and Washington. On Wednesday, SiriusXM reported the Vikings are expected to request an interview with defensive line coach Jim Tomsula. Washington has reportedly asked for permission to interview defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh said the interest in his assistants wouldn’t affect the 49ers’ preparation in advance of their visit to Carolina for a divisional-playoff game Sunday.

“I know our people,” Harbaugh said. “So, their focus is right here on this game.”

Since Harbaugh arrived in 2011, the 49ers’ coaching staff has stayed nearly intact. That will change after this season.

On Wednesday, Scout.com reported that offensive assistant Paul Wulff, the former head coach at Washington State, has been hired as the offensive coordinator at the University of South Florida.

In addition, co-offensive line coach Tim Drevno has been hired for the same role at USC. Drevno and Wulff will leave after the 49ers’ season. Injury report: Cornerback Carlos Rogers remained sidelined because of a hamstring injury. He was hurt in the regular-season finale Dec. 29. Rogers hasn’t practiced since he was injured. Defensive tackle Demarcus Dobbs (knee, shoulder), who was injured Sunday against the Packers, also didn’t practice.

Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (knee), who missed Week 17 with a sprained PCL, was limited in practice. Smith has said he will play against the 49ers.