The San Francisco 49ers have apparently narrowed their search for a new head coach.

ESPN.com has learned Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress, who interviewed with general manager Terry Donahue last week, was informed he is no longer under consideration.

That leaves three known candidates -- Jim Mora Jr. of the 49ers, the New York Jets' Ted Cottrell and Romeo Crennel of the New England Patriots -- still in the running.

Childress signed a new, three-year contract with the Eagles on Friday, with Philadelphia officials contending the deal came before he was eliminated from the 49ers search. Details of the contract were not available.

Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, who had also been pursued by the 49ers, last week removed himself from consideration and then signed a new, four-year, $3.6 million contract with the Eagles.

"That continuity is very important to us," said Eagles coach Andy Reid, where his staff is coaching the NFC squad in the Pro Bowl. "It is very exciting to have both Brad and Jim Johnson coming back."

It remains possible that the 49ers have spoken with candidates whose names have not been made public.

Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, who ostensibly was offered the job by phone on Wednesday night, withdrew from consideration. Kiffin agreed Thursday to remain with the Bucs on a new three-year, $5.1 million contract, the highest in the league for an assistant coach.

The deal came about an hour before Kiffin was scheduled to fly to the West Coast to meet with Donahue over the weekend.

Any candidate recommended by Donahue, and this would have been true for Kiffin as well, must still pass muster with club director John York. The team would like to have a head coach in place by next week.

In a related matter, ESPN.com has also learned that Cottrell has reached an accord to return to the Jets if he does not land the 49ers position. Absent a deal in San Francisco, he will sign a two-year contract worth about $600,000 annually. The Carolina Panthers on Friday sought permission to speak with Cottrell about their defensive coordinator vacancy, but the point was moot, given the pending contract with the Jets.

As reported by ESPN.com last week, Cottrell was essentially a free agent, having declined to exercise an option in his contract earlier this month.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.