It looks like Brian Griese left ESPN when the network was rumored to be closing in on a deal with Troy Aikman as the new Monday Night Football analyst, but now it looks like Griese will be leaving the industry television industry altogether.
Griese will leave ESPN to become 49ers’ new quarterback coach, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Their former quarterback coach, Rich Scangarello, left last month to become offensive coordinator at Kentucky.
A future in the ESPN booth became bleak for Griese as news of Aikman leaked, although no formal contract has been agreed for the current Fox analyst. Griese could have gone back to calling college games for the network, or left the NFL team of Fox or Amazon.
Instead, he will be taking his first step into the coaching arena, and in doing so will reunite with Kyle Shanahan. During Griese’s first stint with the Buccaneers from 2004-05, Shanahan was the offensive quality control coach. Both left after the 2005 season; Shanahan became an extensive acquisition coach for the Texans, and Griese signed with the Bears.
Griese’s competitive career began with the Broncos, who were coached by Mike, Shanahan’s father. He played his first five seasons in Denver before departing for the Dolphins in 2003. After two years at Tampa Bay, he went to Chicago for two more seasons, then returned to the Buccaneers for his final season in 2008. .
