Rumors began to swirl last week that current 49ers linebackers coach Ed Donatell was the leading candidate to become the next defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles. Still, the Eagles have had at least mild interest in other candidates and reportedly even brought in former Browns linebackers coach Billy Davis to interview for the position Sunday.

So what gives? Donatell, who isn’t permitted to interview with the team until after the Super Bowl, did little either confirm or deny any interest between the two sides on Tuesday.

Donatell did concede that he was aware of the rumors. “We hear things, and sometimes things are printed, but there’s been no official contact.”

The 54-year-old, who ran a 4-3 scheme when he served as defensive coordinator with Atlanta and Green Bay, expressed his preference of the 3-4 front.

“I’m a 3-4 coach now. There’s no question about it,” he said. ” I just think there’s more combinations you can do, and there’s more flexibility to it.”

Whether or not Donatell gets to try those combinations in Philadelphia remains to be seen.