NFL San Francisco 49ers

5 Candidates to Replace Jim Harbaugh as San Francisco 49ers’ Head Coach

Who Will Replace Jim Harbaugh for the 49ers?

Jim Harbaugh 3
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

It didn’t take long after their Week 17 win against the Arizona Cardinals for the San Francisco 49ers to part ways with Jim Harbaugh. The move has been in the works for some time, and after the team missed the playoffs this season, it was assumed Harbaugh would be gone sooner rather than later. Now, the 49ers are faced with finding his replacement.

Which direction will they go in?

Dan Quinn, Seattle Seahawks DC

Dan Quinn
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Dan Quinn, Seattle Seahawks DC

Dan Quinn
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The mind behind the Seahawks’ outstanding defense, Quinn is expected to receive plenty of interest from teams looking for a new, up-and-coming head coach. While he hasn’t yet been mentioned as a target of the 49ers, Quinn’s resume would make him an ideal candidate, and he wouldn’t have to move far to take over in San Francisco.

Vic Fangio, San Francisco 49ers DC

Vic Fangio
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Vic Fangio, San Francisco 49ers DC

Vic Fangio
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The current defensive coordinator for the 49ers, Fangio is believed to be getting some consideration from CEO Jed York for the head coaching job. Although he has no prior experience as a head coach, his extensive NFL background and credit for turning around the 49ers defense makes him a logical option. Especially if San Francisco goes with an in-house candidate, Fangio will be seriously considered.

Adam Gase, Denver Broncos OC

Adam Gase
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Adam Gase, Denver Broncos OC

Adam Gase
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

One of the top young head coach candidates in the league, Gase is credited (alongside Peyton Manning) with the emergence of the Broncos offense as an NFL powerhouse. While there will be a number of teams vying for his services, Gase is expected to consider San Francisco not only for their impressive amount of young talent, but also because of his past with the team – he was an offensive assistant in 2008.

Jim Mora, UCLA Bruins HC

Jim Mora
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Jim Mora, UCLA Bruins HC

Jim Mora
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Currently the head coach for the UCLA Bruins, Mora has extensive experience in the NFL. Not only was he with the 49ers for seven years, but he was also the head coach for the Atlanta Falcons for three years and spent a year at the helm with the Seahawks as well. The biggest factor, though, could be his personal ties with York, who is a big fan of Mora. If there’s a top candidate in the college coaching ranks, it’s Mora.

Jim Tomsula, San Francisco 49ers DL

Jim Tomsula
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Jim Tomsula, San Francisco 49ers DL

Jim Tomsula
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Considered by many to be the dark horse candidate to take over in San Francisco, Tomsula is currently the 49ers’ defensive line coach. He was named the interim head coach at the end of the 2010 season after Mike Singletary was let go, and obviously has an extensive history with the team after being hired in 2007. Barring an unexpected emergence of another candidate, chances are Tomsula will take the reins in 2015.

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