San Francisco 49ers: 5 Potential General Managers for 2011

The San Francisco 49ers lost their former General Manager (GM) Scott McCloughan just weeks before the 2010 NFL Draft. Since then, they have operated without one.

Many suggestions are being made daily for potential 49ers GMs moving forward. Many fixate on Mike Holmgren, who is unavailable and enjoying his long-term building project in Cleveland.

In the meantime, here's a list of outside-the-box and off-the-wall suggestions, some of which almost make sense.

Mike Ditka

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 03: A fan of the Atlanta Falcons holds up a sign about Hall of Famer Mike Ditka and head coach Mike Singletary of the San Francisco 49ers at Georgia Dome on October 3, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Sure, Iron Mike Ditka is more of a Chicago guy, but he's supported Mike Singletary (and the decision to promote Singletary) since Jed York fired Mike Nolan.

If the 49ers go the direction of minor overhaul instead of total rebuild, Ditka could be a good mentor to keep Singletary in line.

Steve Mariucci

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NEW YORK - APRIL 28: Marshall Faulk and Steve Mariucci broadcast for the NFL Network during the 2007 NFL Draft on April 28, 2007 at Radio City Music Hall in New York, New York. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Steve Marriucci is a man capable of coaching the 49ers and could possibly GM as well, depending on his ambitions.

Making amends for firing the man after he led the 49ers to their last playoff berth (and losing to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Buccaneers) is a long shot, but not entirely out of the picture.

Matt Millen

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 31: ESPN analyst Matt Millen watches pre-game warmups before the Chick-Fil-A Bowl between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Tennessee Volunteers at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Hokies beat the Voluntee

I'm kidding!!! It's a joke!!!

Or is it? The more beer I woefully consumed during Thursday Night's blowout by San Diego, the more I started to like the guy.

Sure he ran the Detroit Lions into the ground, which is impressive considering they weren't good at all to begin with, but one has to imagine he might have learned a thing or two from the experience.

Amidst the thrashing, Millen displayed a crazy faithfulness in the 49ers, noting they still have a shot to take the NFC West.

Then again, maybe not.

Steve Young

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 18: Monday Night Football Analyst Steve Young talks just prior to the start of the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Field on October 18, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by J. Mer

Keeping with the theme of former 49ers who could be brought back into the fold, Steve Young is one of the smartest, most completely educated players to ever wear the red and gold.

Young has a degree from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young, and he has been keeping up with the NFL as a commentator.

Young is one of the smartest and toughest men ever to wear the Red and Gold, and could certainly handle the task, if his ambitions took him in that direction.

Brent Jones

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28 Nov 1993: Tight end Brent Jones of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game, 35-7. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport

Maybe you're looking for more of a change. Maybe you want more of a locally grown front man to head the office. Look no further than three-time Super Bowl winner (all three with the 49ers of course) Brent Jones.

Jones was born in Santa Clara, raised in San Jose, attended college at Santa Clara University, and played for ten years with the 49ers during their late heyday.

As far as Jones' management experience goes, he co-founded Northgate Capital with Tommy Vardell and Mark Harris, and is a member of the board of directors for San Jose Sports and Entertainment Enterprises, which owns the San Jose Sharks hockey team.

Honorable Mention

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 14: ESPN talent Ron Jaworski and Jon Gruden arrive at the 2010 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 14, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alexandra Wyman/Getty Images for ESPY)

Other names, primarily of accomplished (and experienced) head coaches worth mentioning when thinking about the position:

Brian Billick

Bill Cower

Trent Baalke

Jon Gruden

Jim Mora (Sr)

Ray Rhodes

Dennis Green

George Seifert

Ron Jaworski

Eddie DeBartolo Jr.