With Mike McDaniel leaving to become the next head coach of the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan will be looking for yet another offensive coordinator.
The Miami Dolphins have hired former San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel to be their next head coach.
Even though this was his first year as an NFL offensive coordinator, McDaniel set himself apart during the hiring process with his innovative play-calling and captivating interviews at the podium. He has been hired to get the most out of Tua Tagovailoa, as well as put Jaylen Waddle in even better positions to succeed. For Kyle Shanahan, he has to hire yet another offensive coordinator.
Here is who could be in line to replace McDaniel as the 49ers’ next offensive coordinator.
San Francisco 49ers: 3 replacements for Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator
Rich Scangarello would be a logical promotion from within for the vacancy
With the 49ers expected to move off Jimmy Garoppolo as their starting quarterback in favor of Trey Lance next season, it would serve the team to have a familiar face in the building to help bring him along. So if the 49ers are looking to potentially promote from within, then it may not be a bad idea for quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello to be named the 49ers’ next offensive coordinator.
Scangarello will be entering his fourth year as a member of the 49ers organization over two stints. He has also worked with Shanahan from their time together on Dan Quinn’s 2015 Atlanta Falcons staff. Though he may have had a rough go of it as the 2019 Denver Broncos offensive coordinator, it is clear that Shanahan trusts him to help get the most out of the quarterbacks in his offense.
The one downside to going with Scangarello is his offensive approach seems to be more of the passing variety. He has built his career as a quarterbacks coach, a wide receivers coach and an offensive coordinator. Keep in mind how important running the football is in a Shanahan offense. Scangarello may be able to wear a lot of hats, but this has not been one he has worn before.
If the 49ers were to promote from within to replace McDaniel, Scangarello makes some sense.
Pep Hamilton could play a big part in developing Trey Lance as a quarterback
Depending on what the Houston Texans decide to do, quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton could be looking for another job. Though he was a part of the 49ers coaching staff in 2006, Hamilton is not part of the Shanahan coaching tree. He is better known for his time serving under Jim Harbaugh at multiple college stops, as well as being Chuck Pagano’s offensive coordinator with Indianapolis.
However, Hamilton does have an advocate in the building in new 49ers assistant head coach Anthony Lynn. He served as Lynn’s quarterbacks coach briefly on the 2020 Los Angeles Chargers before Lynn was let go at the end of the season. Hamilton resurfaced in Houston doing what he does best, which is coach up quarterbacks. He could be a huge boost for Lance’s development.
Of course, he would make Scangarello a bit of a redundancy, as they are similar offensive minds who specialize in passing the football as opposed to running it. Though Hamilton may welcome a return to the Bay Area, the fit may not be as seamless with Scangarello already on staff and Lynn coming over after things did not work out for him as the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator.
In short, Hamilton is too good of a quarterbacks coach to not find a job if he does leave Houston.
Anthony Lynn’s arrival in San Francisco signified Mike McDaniel’s departure
To be frank, McDaniel’s replacement might have just gotten in the building. When the 49ers hired Anthony Lynn a few days ago, it was a sign that McDaniel was leaving, almost certainly for the Dolphins job. Lynn may have only been hired as an assistant head coach, but he suffices exactly what the 49ers are losing with McDaniel heading to the Dolphins. They will run the ball so much.
Lynn not only provides ample head-coaching experience from his time with the Los Angeles Chargers and serving as the interim with the Buffalo Bills after Rex Ryan was let go, but he will be put in a position he will absolutely succeed in with the 49ers. As for if he will be promoted to offensive coordinator, that remains to be seen. There is a chance Shanahan calls plays in 2022.
Though he did not succeed as the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator last season under first-year head coach Dan Campbell, it wasn’t like running back D’Andre Swift didn’t look dominant at times like he did in college at Georgia. With Deebo Samuel still in the 49ers backfield, look for Lynn to have oodles of fun trying to figure new and creative ways to use him in the Shanahan offense.
It may not be in name, but Lynn could be the “offensive coordinator” of the 2022 49ers squad.