If they haven't already, the San Francisco 49ers will have to move on from Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson. He has agreed to become the next head coach of the Cleveland Browns.
Jackson interviewed for the 49ers' head coaching vacancy on Sunday, following the Bengals' Saturday Wildcard loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Just days ago, he was reported by numerous sources to be the front-runner for the team's head coaching vacancy. His interview with team CEO Jed York, which took place in Cincinnati, reportedly lasted five hours.
Browns now finalizing deal to hire Bengals OC Hue Jackson as their next HC, per sources. Close to being wrapped up, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 13, 2016
The Cleveland Browns had also interviewed Jackson on Sunday and the New York Giants had expressed interest as well.
Jackson spent 2011 as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders before joining the Bengals as their secondary coach in 2012. He became the running backs coach in 2013 and then the offensive coordinator in 2014.
The 49ers interviewed Hue Jackson on Sunday and never made an offer. https://t.co/txGemDnAic
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) January 13, 2016
While he has an 8-8 record as a head coach, he is highly respected around the NFL and was viewed as a hot commodity for coaching vacancies. The Bengals had the seventh ranked scoring offense this season, scoring 26.2 points per game. Cincinnati finished with a 12-4 record, winning the AFC North.
Yesterday, the 49ers completed an interview with former New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, who resigned from that position on January 4, 2016.
The 49ers had met with former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly, Buffalo Bills assistant head coach and running backs coach Anthony Lynn, Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, and even had discussions with former Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan.