NFL Insider Rand Getlin is reporting that Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is set to meet with both the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos for their head coaching vacancies.
I'm told #Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is set to meet with the #Broncos and #49ers about their head-coaching vacancies.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) January 3, 2017
Joseph has served as the defensive coordinator in Miami for just one season. Prior to that, he served as a defensive backs coach for the Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, and the 49ers under both Mike Nolan and Mike Singletary.
Joseph's name has also been linked to the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, and Buffalo Bills. No meeting date has been set nor can it be at this time. NFL rules prohibit teams from interviewing coaches whose teams are playing in the first round of the playoffs. Therefore, the 49ers will have to wait to meet with Joseph until at least after their game on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Joseph has run the defense all season while head coach Adam Gase, a 2015 candidate for the 49ers' head coach job, ran the offense. That defense has ranked 18th in points allowed, 29th in yards allowed, 15th in passing yards allowed, and 30th in rushing yards allowed.
In Joseph's defense, his unit has lost a number of key starters. That's something that the 49ers can relate to and understand. "From where we've started and how we've grown through the years, guys being in and out, losing some key players, he's done a good job," Gase said of Joseph. "It's a great experience to be able to go through. You have an opportunity to do something that is one of 32 jobs. These are going to be great opportunities for him."
The 49ers already have meetings scheduled with New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Buffalo Bills interim head coach Anthony Lynn, and Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. You can check out all of the names in the general manager and head coach search within our tracker.
