The 49ers are expected to hire a new general manager early this week, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reports. But there appears to be a third finalist who didn’t go through the formal interview process.
San Francisco is said to be deciding between finalists George Paton and Terry McDonough, who completed second interviews with the team on Saturday in Atlanta. Maiocco adds a third candidate with whom presumptive head coach Kyle Shanahan is comfortable is being considered. The 49ers have discussed ESPN analyst — and former Buccaneers GM — Mark Dominik, per Maiocco, but he didn’t interview with the team. It’s uncertain at this point whether Dominik is the third candidate.
Shanahan doesn’t have experience working with Paton or McDonough but does have a history with Dominik. During Shanahan’s days as Bucs offensive quality control coach in 2004-05, Dominik worked as the team’s director of pro scouting — a post he held for 12 years before ascending to Tampa Bay’s GM job.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn recommended Paton, with whom he worked in Miami, to the 49ers. And Maiocco notes the Vikings assistant GM may be the favorite based on the amount of time he spent with 49ers brass this weekend. Paton had dinner with Shanahan and Jed York on Friday before the Saturday interview. Shanahan also spoke directly with Paton and McDonough about how much control the GM position would have in terms of personnel, contractually and functionally, per Maiocco. Shanahan, however, continues to not insist on full roster control.
Mike Shanahan would certainly be a coach Kyle is familiar working with, but Maiocco does not include the former HC (and 49ers OC) as a candidate despite the elder Shanahan being mentioned as a possible front-office solution in San Francisco.
Today marks four weeks since the 49ers jettisoned Trent Baalke, and we heard this weekend the team wasn’t fully committed to hiring one of the two finalists. Additionally, Paton wasn’t considered a lock to take this job if offered. Paton remains in the hunt for the Colts’ GM job, but Chiefs player personnel director Chris Ballard has emerged as the favorite after securing a second interview.
This GM process is giving me a headache. Someone please let me know when they finally hire someone lol
they hired John lynch
I think we all know the 49ers are waiting until the superbowl to make a hire, and are hopefully being respectful enough to let Shanahan focus on the falcons. We all know of the family connection and until the Falcons spank the pats I don’t expect to hear anything official. Rumors are what this site is for, but at this point it’s more irrelevant whispers.
I get what you’re saying, but, why do they have to wait until after the Super Bowl to hire the GM? If Shanahan tells them the GM he wants to work with why can’t they just hire that guy?
I think they rather hire both together, have 1 press conference instead of 2.
Plus you don’t want to distract Kyle Shanahan as the Falcons OC has a tough task in trying to figure out a game plan that works to beat the Patriots.
Wow I didn’t realize working for the 49ers sucked that bad.