Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Greg Blache, one of three known finalists attempting to fill the San Francisco 49ers head coaching vacancy, will have a second interview Friday with team officials.

Mora says he knows about the coaching life

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- If Jim Mora becomes the San Francisco 49ers' next coach, he'll have his famous father to thank -- and to blame. Mora, the 49ers' defensive coordinator and one of three current finalists to replace Steve Mariucci, got an in-depth interview with owner John York on Thursday at the 49ers' training complex as the team continued to move slowly but steadily toward filling its vacancy. The son of former New Orleans and Indianapolis coach Jim Mora has been with San Francisco for six years -- the past four as Mariucci's defensive coordinator. Before that, he spent five seasons as his father's defensive secondary coach with the Saints -- despite the elder Mora's half-serious warnings against a coaching career. ''This isn't new to me,'' Mora said Thursday night. ''While it might be my first chance to be a head football coach, I lived with a head football coach for 15 years. I've seen what the life is like, and I understand the scrutiny and I understand the ups and downs. ''So he's given me a lot of tips. His first tip was about 20 years ago, when he said, 'What? Are you crazy? You're going to coach?''' -- The Associated Press

Blache, 53, will meet in the Bay Area with team director John York and general manager Terry Donahue. He previously interviewed with Donahue on Monday in Southern California.

He is the second known candidate to be called back for a second round of interviews, following a lengthy Wednesday session between New York Jets defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell and 49ers officials. Jim Mora Jr., the 49ers incumbent defensive coordinator and the third known finalist for the job, also will get a second interview.

Although he indicated Wednesday he might expand the search now to include college coaches, there are no indications Donahue has scheduled interviews with any further candidates. Published reports suggest Donahue is seeking to meet with Mike Bellotti of Oregon, Dennis Erickson of Oregon State and Washington's Rick Neuheisel.

ESPN.com has been unable so far to confirm contact with any of the three. If the 49ers are seeking any of the trio from the Pacific-10, it might indicate an alteration to the team's plans to hire a defensive-oriented coach.

While all three known candidates are defensive coordinators, all of the Pac-10 head coaches who are rumored to be on the San Francisco list of possible successors to Steve Mariucci are known for their offensive acumen. Should the 49ers expand the wish list, the search would likely carry into next week.

The colorful Blache, 53, a man whose candor is well-documented around the league, has been the Chicago defensive coordinator for four years.

He is a 15-year NFL veteran, having coached on staffs at Green Bay (1988-93) and Indianapolis (1994-98) in addition to his stint with the Bears.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.