49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans put one of his interviews for a head coach on hold before the team’s divisional playoff game against the Cowboys. Now NFL rules will make him wait even longer.
Ryans already met with the Broncos and Texans, but couldn’t come together on a workable time with the Carolina Panthers who also requested to interview the 49ers’ defensive coordinator per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.
Now there’ll be an involuntary delay in his interview with Carolina since the NFL’s rules stipulate that coordinators on teams playing in the conference championships can’t be interviewed for head coach jobs from Jan. 23 until Monday, Jan. 30.
Should the 49ers win the NFC title game, Ryans would have to complete any additional interviews by Feb. 5, giving him the extra week between the conference championships and the Super Bowl to explore head coach openings.
If the 49ers lose in the NFC championship, Ryans would be fully available for interviews.
