The 49ers’ search to replace coach Jim Harbaugh appears to be winding down with only two known interviews remaining.
The 49ers have an interview scheduled on Thursday with Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. On Friday, the search team of CEO Jed York, general manager Trent Baalke and president Paraag Marathe are scheduled to interview Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
Austin, 49, is a first-year defensive coordinator. He coached in Super Bowls with the Seattle Seahawks, Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens. He was the secondary coach on the Ravens team that defeated the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.
The Lions’ defense under Austin ranked No. 2 overall in total yards in the regular season behind Seattle and was third in the NFL in points allowed. Austin was one of the top three minority candidates the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation submited to NFL teams with head-coaching openings.
Bowles, 51, is also on the Pollard list as a top minority coaching candidate. In his second season with the Cardinals, his defense ranked fifth-best in the NFL in points allowed per game. He has some history with the 49ers. During an eight-year NFL playing career, he played 16 games for the 49ers as a free safety in 1991.
Here’s the list of confirmed candidates for the 49ers head-coaching job:
Vic Fangio, 49ers defensive coordinator, interviewed Tuesday, Dec. 30
Dan Quinn, Seattle defensive coordinator, interviewed Tuesday, Dec. 30
Mike Shanahan, ex-Washington, Denver, L.A. Raiders coach, interviewed Thursday, Jan 1
Adam Gase, Denver offensive coordinator, interviewed Friday, Jan. 2
Josh McDaniels, New England offensive coordinator, interviewed Saturday, Jan. 3
Rex Ryan, ex-New York Jets coach, interviewed Sunday, Jan. 4
Teryl Austin, Detroit defensive coordinator, scheduled to interview Thursday
Todd Bowles, Arizona defensive coordinator, scheduled to interview Friday
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