Steve Mariucci is a fan of the 49ers’ decision to hire John Lynch as general manager.

“His work ethic is second to none. That’s the key,” the former 49ers head coach told KNBR about Lynch. “Whatever he lacks in experience, he will gain with, hey, ask questions, learn, grind, find out the answers, hire people around him that have done this a bit. He will utilize everybody’s opinion that he can use to help make the right decisions.”

Mariucci likes the way San Francisco is headed.

“With Kyle Shanahan (at head coach) … and John Lynch, I think it’s going to be a good team,” he said.

Mariucci acknowledged the similarity between Lynch and Matt Millen, who also went from broadcast booth to NFL front office.

“In retrospect, Matt could have used the opinions of his scouts and coaches a little bit more clearly,” Mariucci said of Millen, who was GM of the Lions when Mariucci was head coach in Detroit. “He made all the decisions by himself. He would hear people out but I don’t know if he took their advice or their opinions on personnel quite like he should have. Consequently, he drafted many guys that really didn’t pan out. I think John Lynch will be more of a listener.

“I think John Lynch will be a little bit more open-minded into listening and involving everybody else, in scouting and coaching, in his decisions.”

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