The San Francisco 49ers interview process rolls on. Next up on the list of head coach prospects is Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott.
McDermott has 16 years of NFL coaching experience and just finished his sixth season in his current role. The coach led the NFL's sixth-ranked defense in 2015 when the Panthers went 15-1 and made it to Super Bowl 50. That season, Carolina ranked first in takeaways (39), interceptions (24) and tied a franchise record with four interceptions returned for a touchdown.
Take a look at each potential general manager/head coach who has met with the 49ers, in order of when they took the interview.
Buffalo Bills interim head coach (Jan. 4) Update: Hired as the Chargers head coach (Jan. 12)
Green Bay Packers director of football operations (Jan. 5)
Green Bay Packers director of player personnel (Jan. 5)
Minnesota Vikings assistant general manager (Jan. 6)
Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator (Jan. 6)
New England Patriots offensive coordinator (Jan. 7)
Indianapolis Colts vice president of football operations (Jan. 8)
Washington Redskins offensive coordinator (Jan. 9) Update: Hired as the Los Angeles Rams head coach (Jan. 12)
Carolina Panthers assistant general manager (Jan. 9)
Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator (Jan. 10) Update: Hired as the Buffalo Bills head coach (Jan. 11)
ESPN NFL front office insider and former Philadelphia Eagles director of pro personnel (Jan. 10)
Arizona Cardinals VP of player personnel (Jan. 13)
Seattle Seahawks offensive line coach/assistant head coach (Jan. 15)
Seattle Seahawks co-director of player personnel (Jan. 16)
Seattle Seahawks co-director of player personnel (Jan. 16)
The coach joined the Panthers staff following a decade with the Philadelphia Eagles. McDermott's final two seasons in Philadelphia were spent as the team's defensive coordinator, and the Eagles made the playoffs both years. Throughout his tenure with the Eagles, the team won six division titles, made five NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl appearance.
Linebacker Luke Kuechly, linebacker Thomas Davis and free safety Brian Dawkins are among the premier players who thrived in McDermott's defense.
McDermott enjoyed a standout playing career at the college level. As a senior at William & Mary in 1997, he was an All-Atlantic 10 choice at safety.
