49ers hire ex-safety John Lynch to be general manager

John Lynch has a Stanford degree, nine Pro Bowl berths and a successful broadcasting career, but he possesses no experience as an NFL executive. Despite that last little detail, the Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist now has this title: 49ers general manager. Lynch, a Fox analyst since 2008, has never worked in a front office and was not connected to the 49ers' opening before Sunday night. The trio then flew to Atlanta on Friday to meet with Shanahan, the Falcons' offensive coordinator. The 49ers and Shanahan also discussed the opening with Vikings assistant general manager George Paton and Cardinals vice president of player personnel Terry McDonough in Atlanta before Lynch was hired. Shanahan, 37, is in line to be a rookie head coach who will be the NFL's second youngest. Broncos general manager John Elway had that distinction when he was hired by in 2011, although he was a co-owner and general manager of an Arena Football League team from 2002 to 2008. Former Lions general manager Matt Millen, a linebacker who played for both the 49ers and Raiders, worked as a TV analyst before he worked in Detroit's front office from 2001 to 2008. After firing general manager Trent Baalke on...