Despite his clear desire to be a head coach, Greg Roman will return as the 49ers offensive coordinator for a fourth season in 2014.

During the playoffs, Roman reportedly interviewed for the Penn State opening on Jan. 6 in Chicago, a day after the 49ers’ wild-card win at Green Bay. On Jan. 11, the day before a divisional-round win against Carolina, he interviewed for the Vikings opening in Charlotte. He was reportedly a candidate for another NFL opening in Washington, but never interviewed for the job.

During the postseason, Roman, saying he was only focused on the next game, predictably deflected questions about those interviews. However, the Ventnor City, N.J., native appeared on 97.3 ESPN in Atlantic City on Monday and discussed his career goals.

“Some people want to be an assistant coach and that’s what they want to do,” Roman said. “And some people want to be a head coach and that’s what their goal is. I think we’re all very goal-driven. And I think the time will come (for me).”

Since December 2010, Roman is known to have interviewed for head-coaching openings at Stanford, Vanderbilt, Pittsburgh and Penn State, where he interviewed in 2011 and ‘14. He was offered the job at Tulane in 2011, but turned it down, partly because it was during the middle of the 49ers’ season.

Roman has been a victim of the 49ers’ success the past three seasons. He’s been unable to meet with prospective future employers because of NFL rules that limit when assistants on playoff teams can interview.

Still, the status quo isn’t the worst thing for Roman, who presumably received a nice pay raise when he signed a two-year contract extension in June. On Monday, after all, he conducted his radio interview from Hawaii.

“I’m looking out at some whales spouting out some water here in Maui,” he said.

Here’s more from Roman:

On his 90-minute interview with the Vikings (Minnesota hired Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer on Jan. 15):

“It was a great experience for me. The first time I’ve ever interviewed for an NFL head-coaching job. The people I met with were very impressive. The way it was set up and executed was very impressive. It was very exciting. At the same time, it was very humbling … that they would take the time and consider you a head coach. That being said, it’ll come. It’ll come when it’s time. Just going through that process this year was a big step for me.”

Being that head coach is the pinnacle, that’s where you really want to be, regardless of your current team’s success, correct?

“Oh, without question. I definitely think we all have aspirations growing up and moving through our careers. I definitely think that’s always been one of mine. Some people want to be an assistant coach and that’s what they want to do. And some people want to be a head coach and that’s what their goal is. I think we’re all very goal-driven. And I think the time will come (for me). Everybody that wants to be a head coach doesn’t mind those challenges because you feel, obviously, if they’re hiring you as a head coach, they probably have some issues.

“But I would say — I could probably speak for all of us in saying – ‘Hey, man, give me a shot and I’ll fix those issues. I know how to do it.’ That’s what you’re looking for ultimately in this profession. It’s also very important, though, to find the right fit. The right people you’re working with, general manager, owner et cetera. And that you’re all on the same page. The NFL is so competitive you’ve all got to be singing from the same song sheet, so to speak, to compete at the highest level.”