Tom Cable becomes latest coach to spurn 49ers

A little over a week after his interview, Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan remains the frontrunner in the 49ers’ search for a new head coach.

The only complication is that the Falcons will host the Packers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.  According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 49ers will offer Shanahan their head coaching job as soon as they’re allowed to. Schefter added that the 49ers were “willing to wait” for Shanahan.

The 49ers’ head coaching job remains unfilled. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was a heavy favorite, but removed his name from consideration Monday.

According to USA Today’s Patriots Wire, McDaniels will stay in New England for the rest of the postseason and the foreseeable future.

McDaniels discussed his decision to reporters Monday during a conference call:

“I was really impressed with Jed York and Paraag [Marathe] and Brian [Hampton], the people that came from the 49ers organization…They did a great job with their presentation. I was humbled to be included in that process. At this time, it’s just best for my family and myself to remain in New England, and focus on this year’s playoffs, and finish out the year however it turns out.”

Much to the delight of 49ers fans, Seahawks offensive line and assistant head coach Tom Cable also withdrew from the head coaching search. Cable interviewed with the 49ers Sunday, just one day after the Seahawks’ season-ending 36-20 loss to the Falcons in the NFC Divisional Round Saturday.

Cable’s agent Doug Hendrickson thanked the 49ers on Twitter.

Cable has a lot of work to do to re-energize the Seahawks’ offensive line after a rough season that ended with Seattle’s offensive unit struggling against the Falcons in the divisional round. The Seahawks are a generally young team who can turn things around next season.

According to CSN Bay Area, the 49ers are allowed to conduct a second interview with Shanahan next week, regardless of whether the Falcons advance to Super Bowl LI or their season comes to an end against the Packers.

Shanahan has been the strongest candidate considered for the 49ers’ head coaching job. The 37-year-old is not only the son of two-time Super Bowl winning coach Mike Shanahan, his offenses have ranked in the top 10 of total offense in six of his nine seasons thus far.