The San Francisco 49ers have reportedly set their sights on acquiring Hue Jackson. The former Oakland Raiders head coach and current Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator (OC) is the "clear front-runner" for the 49ers job, according to Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News, citing a league source.
However, Kawakami adds a caveat; Jackson's status largely depends upon the result of his interview on Sunday. As long as the interview goes well, the 49ers are said to be under the impression that Jackson will accept it.
The 50-year-old Bengals OC is no stranger to Bay Area football fans. Back in 2011, he already interviewed with the 49ers for their head coaching job before the club hired Jim Harbaugh. Jackson eventually assumed Oakland's top coaching post that season. He is now in his second year as Cincinnati's offensive coordinator and in his sixth year on the Bengals staff.
When the Raiders relieved Jackson of his duties in 2011, it was met with surprise by many football enthusiasts as they considered him a good coach. While in Cincinnati, he proved his efficient offensive strategy by taking a Bengals offense under Andy Dalton and turning them into one of the better functioning units last year, FanSided noted.
San Francisco is not the only team interested in Jackson. The Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns also have appointments with him on Sunday. Aside from the Bengals OC, other potential replacements for axed 49ers coach Jim Tomsula are Buffalo Bills assistant coach Anthony Lynn, ex-Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly, and Cleveland Browns OC John DeFilippo.
Meanwhile, the news is breaking that newly minted Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase is going after Bengals defensive backs coach Vance Joseph. Gase's new position has just been announced, and it looks like one of his first moves is to hire Joseph as the Dolphins' new defensive coordinator, Alex Marvez of FOX Sports reports.
Joseph, 43, is in his second year as the co-secondary coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. Before that, he spent six years in San Francisco and three years with the Houston Texans, all as a defensive backs coach. He also had a brief NFL playing career with the New York Jets and Indiana Colts.
If his move to Miami turns out to be true, it will be his first job as a defensive coordinator. It will also be the second time that a Bengals defensive backs coach is ushered into Miami as their defensive coordinator, with Kevin Coyle being the first.
Aside from Joseph, Marquez further reports that the Dolphins are planning to hire Matt Burke as linebackers coach, Jerome Henderson as defensive backs coach and Clint Hurtt as defensive line coach.
