Shortly after it was officially announced that Jim Harbaugh was leaving Stanford for the San Francisco 49ers, we reported that there was a very real chance that the school could look to replace Harbaugh with one of his assistants.
According to one report, that’s where the Cardinal will indeed start. And it may very well be where they end up when all of the coaching search dust settles.
ESPN‘s Ivan Maisel is reporting that athletic director Bob Bowlsby will first look to interview assistant head coach Greg Roman, offensive coordinator David Shaw and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio for the vacancy.Bowlsby would like the continuity an internal candidate would bring, the source said, and will interview them as soon as possible but may also speak with candidates outside of the program.
Bowlsby’s strategy may stem in part from quarterback Andrew Luck’s decision to return to school.
Two of those in-house candidates, though, could be out of the mix.
Roman will interview Sunday for Pittsburgh job and, after reportedly being one of two finalists for Vanderbilt’s opening, is seen as a very viable candidate for the Panthers. Additionally, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported earlier today that Fangio may head to San Francisco for a reunion with Harbaugh and a job as the 49ers coordinator.