McDaniels Interviews With 49ers for Head-coaching Job

The 49ers sat down Saturday afternoon for a scheduled three-hour interview with New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, the team announced.

The 49ers were the last team scheduled to interview McDaniels, 40, who met earlier with Jacksonville and the Los Angeles Rams. The interviews were scheduled for three hours apiece with one-hour breaks in between, a source told CSNBayArea.com.

McDaniels fit all of his head-coaching interviews into an 11-hour window on Saturday before getting back to work Sunday to prepare for the Patriots' AFC Divisional-Round playoff game that is scheduled for next Saturday. He only wanted to interview for jobs for which he would seriously consider, a source said.

The 49ers also had submitted a request to the Patriots to interview director of player personnel Nick Caserio for the team's vacant general manager position. The Patriots granted the request, a source told CSNBayArea.com, but Caserio is not believed to have interviewed on Saturday.

The 49ers, which have confirmed all interviews with candidates, had no announcement on Saturday about a meeting with Caserio, who did not return a phone call Saturday from CSNBayArea.com. Caserio has turned down interviews and offers in the past. He declined to interview with Indianapolis in 2012 and declined Miami's job offer in 2014.

McDaniels previously turned down an interview with the 49ers in 2011, shortly after he was fired less near the end of his second season as head coach of the Denver Broncos. After one season as offensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams, McDaniels returned to run the New England offense under Bill Belichick.

Two years ago, McDaniels interviewed with the 49ers but is believed to have pulled his name from consideration. The 49ers' job is apparently more attractive now because a coach and a general manager will be matched together to come in with carte blanche to form the organization to their likings.

This week on Boston radio station WEEI, quarterback Tom Brady said he sees McDaniels "more than anybody in my life" and he hopes McDaniels remains with the Patriots.

"I see why there is a lot of interest and there should be because I think he's the best in the NFL," Brady said. "Great coaches get opportunities and he's fortunate to be in a position where he should get them because he's earned it. I would hate to lose him, but I think it's always aspirational for a coach because it's great to lead a team, lead an organization."

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