49ers offer Linehan offensive coordinator job

49ers offer Linehan offensive coordinator job
January 16
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
"Former St. Louis Rams coach Scott Linehan is no stranger to replacing Mike Martz. He did it with the Rams, and he appears to be close to entering the same situation with the 49ers.

Linehan was offered the job to become the 49ers’ seventh offensive coordinator in seven seasons Thursday night, according to sources. He was expected to meet with his family before informing the 49ers of his decision.

Linehan, 45, had his second interview in a week with coach Mike Singletary and general manager Scot McCloughan at the team’s offices in Santa Clara on Thursday.

Rob Chudzinski, Rick Dennison and Clyde Christensen have also interviewed for the offensive-coordinator position.

Linehan emerged from the group as the front-runner to replace Martz, whom Singletary fired on Dec. 30. Singletary said he wants an offensive coordinator to help him establish a powerful running attack.

When the Rams fired Martz as head coach after the 2005 season, Linehan took over. Linehan was fired after four games last season with the Rams. His record as head coach was 11-25.

Linehan enjoyed success as offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings for three seasons and the Miami Dolphins in 2005 before landing his first head-coaching job. The Vikings ranked second, first and fourth in the NFL in total offense during his tenure. The Dolphins were ranked 29th in the NFL before his arrival and went to No. 14 in his only season.

Linehan has a history with 49ers quarterbacks Alex Smith and Shaun Hill.

In fact, as Dolphins offensive coordinator, he was hopeful the 49ers would pass on Smith with the No. 1 overall pick. The Dolphins owned the second selection that year.

“I (didn’t) make the pick, but I was hoping,” Linehan said in 2007 before the Rams faced the 49ers. “I had a pretty good idea that San Francisco was going to take him. And now we have to play against the turkey.”"
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