Vic Fangio, 49ers defensive coordinator: His defenses ranked in the top-five in yards allowed in each of his four seasons on Harbaugh’s staff. This season was his most-impressive work, as he managed to work wonders with a depth chart that was depleted throughout the season. Fangio, 56, interviewed for the job on Tuesday. This week, the 49ers reportedly declined Washington’s request to allow him to interview for its vacant defensive coordinator position.

Rex Ryan, ex-New York Jets head coach: He blasted on the scene six years ago with his outspoken, flamboyant style. Ryan, 52, led the Jets to the AFC Championship game in each of his first two seasons with a strong defense and Mark Sanchez at quarterback. But when the Jets finished 4-12 and failed to make the postseason for the fourth consecutive season, he was fired. He is reportedly scheduled to meet with the 49ers on Sunday. Atlanta and Buffalo are also in the picture.

Adam Gase, Denver offensive coordinator: Gase, 36, is considered a bright offensive mind who has worked his way up the ranks in a relatively short period of time. He came with Mike Martz to the 49ers as an offensive assistant in 2008. He has been the Broncos’ offensive coordinator, with Peyton Manning as his quarterback, for the past two seasons. The 49ers are scheduled to interview Gase on Friday after the Broncos earned a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs. Atlanta and Chicago also have interviews set up.

Mike Shanahan, ex-Washington head coach: Shanahan, 62, is best-remembered for back-to-back Super Bowl titles with the Denver Broncos after the 1997 and ’98 seasons. Before that, he was the coordinator of an explosive 49ers’ offense that won the Super Bowl in January 1995. His final 14 seasons as head coach, including a tumultuous four-year stint with Washington, produced just one playoff victory. The 49ers are scheduled to meet with Shanahan while they’re in the Denver area to meet with Gase, reports the Denver Post.

Dan Quinn, Seattle defensive coordinator: Quinn, 44, was an impressive young assistant with the 49ers from 2001 to 2004 on the staffs of Steve Mariucci and Dennis Erickson. The past two seasons he has been in charge of the best defense in the NFL while on Pete Carroll’s staff. Quinn was the first outside candidate to interview for the job, Fox Sports reported, as the Seahawks earned a first-round playoff bye. Atlanta and the Jets have also requested permission to speak with him.

Josh McDaniels, New England offensive coordinator: McDaniels reportedly declined the 49ers’ invitation to interview for the opening in 2011 before Harbaugh was officially hired. McDaniels was coming off a disastrous 11-17 stint as Broncos head coach. He returned to the Patriots and, thanks in large part to Tom Brady, is back to being a candidate for a head-coaching job. McDaniels, 38, has agreed to interview with the 49ers and Atlanta Falcons on the East Coast, CBS Sports reported.

Teryl Austin, Detroit defensive coordinator: Austin, 49, is a first-year defensive coordinator, but he coached in Super Bowls with the Seahawks, Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens. He was the secondary coach on the Ravens team that defeated the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. The Lions’ defense under Austin ranks No. 2 overall in total yards behind Seattle and was third in the NFL in points allowed. He was one of the top three minority candidates the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation planned to submit to NFL teams with head-coaching openings. Atlanta has also formally requested permission to speak with him, he said on Thursday. The 49ers could interview him next week, whether the Lions advance to the divisional round of the playoffs or not.

Todd Bowles, Arizona defensive coordinator: He played 16 games for the 49ers as a free safety in 1991 in an eight-year NFL playing career that included seven seasons with Washington. Bowles, 51, is also on the Fritz Pollard Alliance’s list of top minority coaching candidates. He served as interim head coach of Miami in 2011, finishing with a 2-1 record, after Tony Sparano was fired. In his second season with the Cardinals, his defense ranks fifth-best in the NFL in points allowed per game. Every team with a head-coaching opening has reportedly asked for permission to interview him.

Jim Tomsula, 49ers defensive line coach: The 49ers know Tomsula, 46, better than any of the other candidates. After all, Tomsula has been with the 49ers since 2007. He was the 17th head coach in franchise history, when he took over for the final game of the 2010 season after Mike Singletary was fired. Long considered the in-house candidate the organization would lean toward, Tomsula has not yet had a formal interview for the job, a source told CSNBayArea.com. But that could change next week when the 49ers’ search party returns to the Bay Area. Multiple coaching sources said they expect Tomsula to add Raiders defensive coordinator Jason Tarver to his staff if he gets the job.