The 49ers coaching staff is a popular one for teams to raid when it comes time to hire new head coaches and assistants. Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks has already had a couple head coach interviews. Klint Kubiak also interviewed for the Bears open offensive coordinator position. Now Kubiak and quarterbacks coach Brian Griese are on the Saints’ radar for their OC opening. They’ve both interviewed with New Orleans according to New Orleans Football’s Nick Underhill.
Kubiak is San Francisco’s passing game specialist on offense. This is his first year with the 49ers after bouncing around the NFL as a QB coach, offensive assistant and offensive coordinator. His one venture into being an OC came with the Vikings in 2021. That year Minnesota finished No. 14 in points and No. 12 in yards.
Griese getting an interview is extremely interesting since the 2022 campaign was his first foray into coaching in the NFL. He helped guide Trey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo and Brock Purdy through a tumultuous 2022 campaign where Lance went down in Week 2, and Garoppolo went down in Week 13, forcing Purdy, the final pick of that year’s draft, into a starting job. Purdy’s success has certainly helped put Griese on the map for OC openings despite his lack of overall coaching experience.
Hires from coaching staffs won’t be made until after the Super Bowl or after the 49ers are eliminated. For now Kubiak and Griese are two integral pieces of San Francisco trying to get over the hump and win an NFC championship.
