San Francisco 49ers Promote Inside, Name Mike McDaniel OC, DeMeco Ryans DC

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SANTA CLARA, Calif .– The San Francisco 49ers said goodbye to two of their best assistants last week, but they are keeping two more with a few internal promotions in the works for some time.

With former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and passing game coordinator Mike LaFleur headed to the New York Jets as head coach and offensive coordinator, respectively, the Niners elevated linebacker coach DeMeco Ryans to replace Saleh as defensive coordinator, with running match coordinator Mike McDaniel taking over. The functions of LaFleur in a consolidated position of offensive coordinator.

Both moves have been expected since Saleh was announced as the Jets head coach last week. In fact, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan strongly hinted that Ryans was his choice for the job during his season-closing press conference on January 4.

“It’s only a matter of time before DeMeco is a coordinator in this league,” Shanahan said. “It’s a matter of time before DeMeco becomes head coach.”

For now, Ryans is a defensive coordinator, which represents a rapid rise in the ranks after a successful 10-year NFL career as a linebacker for the Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles.

Ryans retired in 2015, joining Shanahan’s staff in 2017 as a defensive quality control coach before moving to inside linebackers coach in 2018.

Over the past three seasons, Ryans has quickly won his players over with an approach they believe is similar to Saleh in terms of measured and thoughtful communication skills paired with a fiery and passionate personality on match days.

Mid-range picks such as Fred Warner and Dr. Greenlaw flourished under Ryans leadership. Warner won his first All-Pro and Pro Bowl nods in 2020, thanking Ryans for helping him along the way.

“He started as a LB coach the same year I came in as a rookie, and the progress you’ve seen me make is a direct reflection of the type of coach and person he is,” said Warner. “He’s so passionate about what he does. It’s no mystery why he’s been so successful in the NFL. He’s so smart and he and Saleh are very similar in that way they both really are. smart and know exactly what they want.… He’s an amazing teacher. I’ve learned so much from him and continue to learn so much, and I think that’s the key to being a great coach. “

As LaFleur made his way to the Jets, the 49ers had hoped to keep at least one of Shanahan’s best offensive assistants in place.

McDaniel had drawn the Miami Dolphins’ interest in their position as offensive coordinator, but the Niners promoted McDaniel to keep him as Shanahan’s main offensive sounding board. Shanahan is expected to retain his game call duties on game day, but McDaniel plans to retain a leading role in game planning and game design, as well as other responsibilities. McDaniel has long been one of Shanahan’s closest coaching confidants, as he began his career as an intern with the Denver Broncos under Mike Shanahan. He spent three seasons under Kyle Shanahan with the Houston Texans and was also with him at stops in Washington, Cleveland and Atlanta before joining the Niners.

Along with the 49ers, McDaniel has helped design and implement a racing game that has been among the best in the league over the past two seasons. The Niners are sixth in the NFL in rushing yards and tied for third in touchdowns over the past two years.

Full-back Kyle Juszczyk, who is slated to be an unrestricted free agent in March, has repeatedly credited McDaniel with his creative racing game designs and found unique ways to use him in the attack.

He congratulated McDaniel via social media on Monday, writing that he so deserved this promotion !!

“I think Kyle and Mike McDaniel just did a great job of figuring out the best way to put me on the pitch and put me in situations to be successful,” Juszczyk said on Jan. 4. “So I owe them a lot – just for the opportunities they’ve given me over the past four years.”



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