The San Francisco 49ers' list of coaching changes on Tuesday included an unexpected development—Mick Lombardi was named the team's quarterbacks coach, replacing Brian Griese, who had held the role for the past three seasons.
RELATED Mick Lombardi replaces Brian Griese as 49ers QB coach
Griese had been Brock Purdy's quarterbacks coach since the 49ers drafted him in 2022 and was one of the advocates for the team's decision to select him. Now, Purdy must adjust to Lombardi, who joined the team last year as a senior offensive assistant.
Brian Griese graded Brock Purdy as the top QB in the 2022 draft. Purdy, pick No. 262, was the ninth QB selected. #49ers
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) February 26, 2025
The big question was: what happened to Griese? According to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, Griese has decided to step away from coaching, per a source.
Branch noted that Griese had considered leaving coaching in 2023, after his first season with the 49ers. His wife and two children remained in Denver during that time, making the decision to continue coaching difficult. After "weighing family considerations," he ultimately chose to stay in the role.
"It's not the easiest thing in the world to be away from them," Griese said in June 2023, per Branch.
His decision to step away may also explain why he declined an opportunity to interview for the New York Jets' head coaching job. Likely, he had already been contemplating leaving coaching altogether.
Griese joined the 49ers after a successful broadcasting career. Before that, he played 11 seasons as an NFL quarterback after being selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft.