When Brian Griese agreed to join the 49ers coaching staff for the 2022 season, he gave manager Kyle Shanahan a three-year commitment.
Gliese's profile as a team's quarterback coach has risen over the last three years, particularly to raise Brockpurdy from unrelated status to franchise QB, and his performance has even landed this offseason list for the Jets head coaching candidates.
However, in surprise, Gliese declined an offer to interview from the Jets and left his role in San Francisco.
In the end, the family won against football.
“When he committed, Kyle was always Grieze, the guy, he was a great coach and he was close to him,” 49ers general manager John Lynch said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. “I think Gliese was in a different world. He gave the idea on the front end and then three years of commitment. He's a very principled guy… family and other specific things. I don't want to talk to him for Brian, but the other things pulled him and respected him for his tough decisions, but what I thought was the best for him and his family.”
The football vs family debate is what Gliese was fighting with the 49ers, and the former 11-year-old NFL quarterback is debating whether he'll quit after the 2022 season.
Gliese's family lived in Denver at the time. San Francisco Chronicle.
“It's not the easiest thing in the world,” Gliese told the outlet in June 2023.
Gliese has finally gotten better over the last three years, but he is now taking a break, but it should be seen for a temporary or good.
Lynch did not close the idea of a future reunion if Griese wanted to return to the coaching rank.
The Jets were on the list as Gliese's status as an ascending assistant, which could possibly lead to the role of coordinator in the near future.
Mick Lombardi will replace Gliese this season after serving as a senior offensive assistant.
“We had a good conversation, and it's all good,” Lynch said. “All he did was a family decision.”
If Griese finishes coaching, he could potentially consider commenting again after serving as an analyst for Monday Night Football for the 2020 and '21 seasons.
Gliese, the Broncos' third pick in 1998, won the Super Bowl that season and played for the Dolphins, Buccaneers and Bears in his career.
