Report: Former 49ers DB coach turned down interview for Bengals DC opening

Former 49ers defensive backs coach Jeff Hafley took a step backward in level to take a step up in job title. In January he joined the Ohio State Buckeyes coaching staff as the defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, he rejected an interview to climb back into the NFL ranks as the Bengals defensive coordinator.

The #Bengals wanted to interview Ohio State defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley for their vacant DC job, sources tell @RapSheet. However, I’m told he’s not going to renege on his commitment to OSU after taking the job last month. So Cincy’s search continues.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 15, 2019

Hafley is just the latest member of last year’s 49ers coaching staff to be pursued by an NFL team. Adam Stenavich is now the Packers’ offensive line coach after spending last season as an assistant OL coach with the 49ers. Former quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello is now in Denver as the offensive coordinator. Two other 49ers assistants, Mike LaFleur and Mike McDaniel were requested for interviews with other teams but denied by head coach Kyle Shanahan.

This is likely to become a trend for the 49ers if they undergo a turnaround in the win column next season. Teams are looking for coaches from successful clubs, and the 49ers already have a popular coaching staff to tap into. That’ll only expand once they have more success.