The San Francisco 49ers officially announced the promotions of two assistant coaches — Mike McDaniel and DeMeco Ryans. McDaniel is being promoted from run-game coordinator to offensive coordinator, while Ryans is being promoted from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator, replacing Robert Saleh.
News of Ryans' promotion was first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Media soon after the New York Jets' hiring of Saleh as head coach.
McDaniel's name was being linked to offensive coordinator openings around the NFL, including the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers.
Mike McDaniel's name was linked to new Chargers HC Brandon Staley, per @AlbertBreer, and other teams like the Dolphins. The #49ers did what they needed to keep a talented coach, promoting him to OC.https://t.co/ifNKdhpINb
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) January 18, 2021
While not officially announced by the team, the 49ers made several other coaching moves on Monday morning. Rich Scangarello is returning to head coach Kyle Shanahan's staff to once again serve as quarterbacks coach. The team is also promoting assistant Chris Foerster to offensive line coach to replace John Benton, who is joining Saleh with the Jets.
The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown.
McDaniel, 37, will enter his fifth season with the 49ers in 2021 after spending the previous four years with the team as the run game coordinator (2018-20) and run game specialist (2017).
Over the last two seasons (2019-20), San Francisco's offense has averaged 131.1 rushing yards per game, ranking sixth in the NFL over that span. The team finished the 2019 season ranked second in the NFL and first in the NFC in that same category, averaging 144.1 rushing yards per game. The 49ers' 42 rushing touchdowns since 2019 are tied for the third-most in the NFL and tied for the most in the NFC in that span.
McDaniel joined San Francisco in 2017 after spending the previous two seasons as an offensive assistant for the Atlanta Falcons (2015-16). He went to Atlanta after spending one season as the wide receivers coach for the Cleveland Browns (2014). Prior to his time in Cleveland, McDaniel spent three seasons with Washington, starting as an offensive assistant (2011-12), before being promoted to wide receivers coach in 2013. McDaniel joined Washington after serving as the running backs coach for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League for two seasons (2009-10). He spent the prior three seasons (2006-08) as an offensive assistant with the Houston Texans and one season as an intern with the Denver Broncos in 2005.
A native of Greeley, CO, McDaniel attended Yale University where he was a wide receiver for the Bulldogs.
Ryans, 36, will enter his fifth season with the 49ers in 2021 after spending the previous four years with the team as the inside linebackers coach (2018-20) and a defensive quality control coach (2017).
Over the past three seasons, Ryans has worked closely with LB Fred Warner, who has led the team in tackles each year. In 2020, he earned AP First-Team All-Pro honors and the first Pro Bowl selection of his career. Warner led the 49ers with a career-high 125 tackles and was one of two players in the NFL with 110-or-more tackles (125), five-or-more passes defensed (six), two-or-more interceptions (two), one-or-more forced fumbles (one), and one-or-more fumble recoveries (two).
Originally drafted in the second round (33rd overall) by the Houston Texans in the 2006 NFL Draft, Ryans spent 10 seasons in the NFL with the Texans (2006-11) and Philadelphia Eagles (2012-15). Ryans appeared in 140 games (139 starts) and registered 735 tackles, 46 passes defensed, 13.5 sacks, 10 fumble recoveries, and seven interceptions. During his career, he earned AP Defensive Rookie of the Year (2006) and First-Team All-Pro (2007) honors in addition to being named to two Pro Bowls (2007, 2009).
A native of Bessemer, AL, Ryans played linebacker at the University of Alabama (2002-05), where he was named First-Team All-SEC, a unanimous All-American, and SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2005.