Report: Lane Kiffin the front-runner to become 49ers offensive coordinator

Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin is the front-runner for the San Francisco 49ers vacant offensive coordinator position, according to ESPN.com's Adam Schefter.

Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin is the front-runner for the San Francisco 49ers vacant offensive coordinator position, according an ESPN report. The team is also reportedly considering Indianapolis assistant Rob Chudzinski. 

Alabama OC Lane Kiffin is a front-runner for 49ers OC job. Colts special assistant to HC Rob Chudzinski also under consideration.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 18, 2015

Kiffin told reporters last month he had no plans to leave Alabama, according to the ESPN report. Kiffin spent one year with the Crimson Tide under head coach Nick Saban, where he led an offense that logged an FBS 14th-best 6.66 yards-per-play. Alabama lost in the semifinals of the inaugural College Football Playoff to eventual champion Ohio State. 

The news of interest in Kiffin comes four days after San Francisco announced it would promote defensive line coach Jim Tomsula to head coach. 

If hired, Kiffin would work with new offensive line coach Chris Foerster and running backs coach Tom Rathman. 

The 49ers parted ways with former head coach Jim Harbaugh Dec. 29 after San Francisco struggled to an 8-8 record and missed the playoffs after making it at least as far as the NFC Championship game in the three previous seasons. 

- Will Green