49ers get permission to talk to Kiffin
NFL.com wire reports
SAN FRANCISCO (Jan. 28, 2003) -- The San Francisco 49ers got permission to speak to Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin about their head coaching job and interviewed Jets assistant Ted Cottrell.
Kiffin built the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense into the No. 1 unit in the NFL, one that dominated the Oakland Raiders' top-rated offense in Sunday's 48-21 victory.
San Francisco general manager Terry Donahue plans to talk to Kiffin late this week. Whether they will meet in person depends on the Bucs' busy post-Super Bowl schedule.
The 62-year-old Kiffin has expressed interest in becoming an NFL head coach, as long as it's the right situation. His deal with the Buccaneers runs through 2004.
San Francisco fired Steve Mariucci on Jan. 15, three days after the 49ers lost to Tampa Bay in the second round of the NFC playoffs.
Cottrell, New York's defensive coordinator, joins a growing list of candidates with the 49ers. Donahue already interviewed Philadelphia offensive coordinator Brad Childress and defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, along with New England defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel and 49ers defensive coordinator Jim Mora, the son of the former Indianapolis and New Orleans coach.
Johnson removed his name from the running last week.
Owner John York repeatedly has said there is no timetable for hiring a coach. He will choose from a list of finalists compiled by Donahue.
