One of the biggest names in football history is being thrown into the San Francisco 49ers search for a new general manager.
But for 49ers fans, it is hard to get too excited about the team contacting Bill Parcels for a reference.
Team President Jed York is reportedly reaching out to the Super Bowl winning coach to get a reference from him about current 49ers front office man Trent Baalke.
Baalke is largely seen as a shoe in to land the 49ers new general manager position but ESPN reports that York wants to hear good things from Parcells first, who hired Baalke to be a scout with the New York Jets in 1998.
York said Monday he wants to hire a general manager and then let him choose a coach and a system. Baalke has been the team's de facto general manager since Scot McCloughan abruptly left the team in a cloud of mystery.
The one glimmer of hope for the team's fan base is that the report says York also wants Parcells advice on the general direction of the team.
Intrepid 49ers reporter Matt Maiocco reports that Baalke is already in Florida meeting with Parcells, who is a consultant to the Miami Dolphins. Baalke is reportedly seeking advice on how to turn the franchise around and how to lure Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh to the 49ers.