A 23-year NFL coaching veteran, Reeves hasn't coached since being fired by the Falcons with three games remaining in 2003. Reeves followed Ravens quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson, who interviewed earlier the same day.

Former St. Louis Rams coach Scott Linehan traveled to the San Francisco area for a second interview. But when Singletary offered Linehan the job, Linehan said he needed several days to think about it.

The 49ers thought it was curious that Linehan would take two visits to meet with Singletary and general manager Scott McCloughan apparently without already discussing the impact taking the job would have on his family.

Linehan cited personal and family reasons on Sunday when he declined Singletary's offer.

Of course, that snub left the 49ers in an awkward position of continuing their search for an offensive coordinator when spots around the league were quickly being filled.

The 49ers interviewed four original candidates. Linehan turned down the job, and Rick Dennison decided to remain with the Denver Broncos as offensive line coach. The club also met formally with former Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, Indianapolis Colts receivers coach Clyde Christensen and former Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski, who was fired by the school after interviewing for the Jets' head coaching job.

Jagodzinski spent one season as Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator before accepting the job at Boston College. In 2006, the Packers ranked ninth in the NFL in total offense under Jagodzinski. The Packers were eighth in passing and 23rd in rushing yards.

"I believe and have faith in the process we have set forth in our search for an offensive coordinator," Singletary said. "While we'd like to fill this position sooner than later, we will remain patient in our approach."

Coincidentally, Linehan had an opportunity to replace Mike Martz for the second time. When Martz was fired as Rams head coach following the 2005 season, Linehan was hired. He was on the job for two seasons and four games before he was fired.

Singletary fired Martz at the end of last season. Martz is known for his inventive passing game. Singletary wants the 49ers to become more of a running team.

"Really, the bottom line was it's just a difference in philosophy, it's as simple as that," Singletary said. "I think Mike Martz's philosophy works. Obviously, it works. He's been very successful with it. I think everywhere he's gone he's had success. I know that we have to have a long-term solution for that position at the offensive coordinator and philosophy-wise going forward, I just did not feel that the fit was there."

Singletary said he hopes to find some continuity on the offensive side of the ball, as the 49ers will hire their seventh offensive coordinator in seven seasons. In addition to Martz, the 49ers' coordinators have been: Jim Hostler (2007), Norv Turner (2006), Mike McCarthy (2005), Ted Tollner (2004) and Greg Knapp (2001-03).