Sean McDermott will lead his Buffalo Bills against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. That is his focus this week. However, during a Zoom call with the media on Wednesday, McDermott was asked to reflect on what he learned about his opponent on January 10, 2017, when he interviewed for the 49ers' then-vacant head-coaching job.
The 49ers were searching for their fourth head coach in as many years after firing Chip Kelly and general manager Trent Baalke. McDermott was one of several coaches up for the vacancy.
"I really enjoyed my interaction with them," McDermott said. "You could tell that they were headed in the right direction, just philosophically, how they wanted to do it, and I had a lot of respect for my interaction with them. And I thought it was a very positive interaction just in terms of that. Like I said, a very thorough approach by them, and a very long interview process there.
"Again, I think they came out with two candidates in Kyle (Shanahan) and John (Lynch), obviously, in what they've been able to do and build there."
A day after interviewing with the 49ers, it was reported that the Bills were set to hire McDermott. The 49ers, as McDermott stated, eventually hired former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who has helmed the team since.
Added McDermott of Shanahan: "He's one of the best coaches in the NFL."