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San Francisco 49ers: Short List of Head Coach Candidates in 2016

By Peter Panacy

Jan 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton on the sideline in the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Saints won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton on the sideline in the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Saints won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mike Holmgren

Mike Holmgren has plenty of 49ers ties having served as the team’s quarterbacks coach from 1986 through 1988 and as offensive coordinator from 1989 through 1991. And he’s also expressed interest in coaching the 49ers for the second time in as many season.

Holmgren has a Super Bowl win under his belt from 1996 with the Green Bay Packers, and he also is capable of putting together a great staff, per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports — something San Francisco will unquestionably need moving forward.

And, according to Eric Branch of SFGate.com, Holmgren doesn’t seem to care about personnel control or the money associated with the position.

Why He Fits:

Holmgren’s Bay Area ties are enough to make him a likable candidate among the fan base. And he has championship pedigree stemming from his own head-coaching tenure as well as his time with the 49ers previously.

Finances and roster control also don’t appear to be a factor, which could play right into general manager Trent Baalke’s wish list.

Why He Doesn’t Fit:

He’s 67 years old and has been out of the NFL since 2012. Do the 49ers want to roll on a “has been” candidate instead of someone with a current resume of success?

The Likelihood:

Holmgren was turned down because of his age a year ago, and he didn’t get any younger during the offseason. San Francisco will kindly pass once more.

Next: David Shaw