49ers to interview coordinators

Mike Heimerdinger of the Titans and the Giants' Tim Lewis are scheduled.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger and New York Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis will interview this week for the 49ers' head coaching position, a San Francisco spokesman said Monday.
After dining together Monday night, Heimerdinger and 49ers owner John York will have a formal interview in St. Louis today. Lewis will interview on Wednesday, spokesman Kirk Reynolds said.
Heimerdinger has been in charge of the Titans' offense for five years, leading Tennessee to several franchise superlatives and helping Steve McNair win a share of the MVP award last season.
He was on the Denver Broncos' staff for five years before joining the Titans, but hasn't been a head coach since 1979 at Johnsburg High School in McHenry, Ill.
Lewis was the defensive coordinator of the Steelers for the final four seasons of a nine-year stint with Pittsburgh before Giants coach Tom Coughlin hired him a year ago. The former Green Bay Packers cornerback was the 11th overall selection in the 1983 draft, but his playing career was cut short by a neck injury in 1986.
Lewis has never been a head coach. He has been mentioned as a candidate for Syracuse's vacant coaching position, and he interviewed for the top job at Pitt, his alma mater, before Dave Wannstedt was hired.
Hiring coach first priority
York fired coach Dennis Erickson and dismissed general manager Terry Donahue last Wednesday after the 49ers finished 2-14, matching the worst record in franchise history and earning the top pick in the draft. York plans to hire a coach with broad powers before replacing his general manager.
York interviewed New England defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel in Boston on Saturday, with both sides saying the conversation went well. The owner hasn't set a timetable for his search.
York apparently was interested in interviewing Southern California coach Pete Carroll, but the former Jets and Patriots coach has said he isn't interested.
When York and Donahue hired Erickson following the 2002 season, they interviewed several prominent NFL coordinators before selecting Erickson from Oregon State. This time, York said he plans to hire a coach with significant NFL experience and a winning background.
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