Rand Getlin of NFL Network is reporting that former Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil may be the new favorite to land the defensive coordinator job with the San Francisco 49ers.
I'm told former #Browns defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil is a strong candidate for the same job with the #49ers. May be the new favorite.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) January 25, 2016
O'Neil was hired by the Browns in January of 2014 and then let go earlier this month. His NFL coaching experience includes stops with the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills.
From the official Cleveland Browns website:
In his first season as defensive coordinator, O'Neil's unit made significant increases in nearly every major defensive statistic, including red zone defense (29th in 2013 to fifth in 2014), third down defense (31st to 11th), points per game (23rd to ninth) and quarterback rating (16th to first). The team led the NFL in opponent completion percentage (57.1), opponent passer rating (74.1) and passes defensed (99). The Browns finished second in the league with 21 interceptions, the team's highest total since 2008, while also finishing tied for fourth in takeaways (29). Cleveland's defense also finished in the top-10 in the league in pass defense (fifth with 6.44 yards per attempt) and total defense (ninth with an average of 5.24 yards per play).
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