In the game of "Survivor" that the San Francisco 49ers' search for a head coach has become, Ted Cottrell has moved on to the final round. And Romeo Crennel has been voted off the island.

ESPN.com has learned that Cottrell, the veteran New York Jets defensive coordinator, is one of the finalists to succeed Steve Mariucci. Cottrell will leave Tuesday for the West Coast and interview as early as Wednesday with team director John York.

Crennel, defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots, was informed Tuesday that he is no longer under consideration for the job. The development leaves two African-American candidates, Cottrell and Bears defensive coordinator Greg Blache, which is noteworthy because the 49ers have considered minority candidates in the interview process more seriously than other franchises.

A third candidate summoned by general manager Terry Donahue for what is believed to be the last round of interviews is San Francisco's own Jim Mora Jr., himself a defensive coordinator.

"We have asked Greg and Ted to fly out so that we can show them around the Bay Area and introduce them to the organization," Donahue said Tuesday. "Jim, obviously, is very familiar with both the organization and San Francisco. I feel all three have the potential to be excellent head coaches."

It is possible, but not likely, that the 49ers have interviewed candidates whose identities were not made public. It is also possible that Donahue may speak to current college coaches once the national letter-of-intent signing date for high school seniors passes Wednesday.

The 55-year-old Cottrell, who has been considered in the past a potential candidate for head coach openings, previously worked in Kansas City (1981-82), Buffalo (1986-89 and 1995-2000) and Arizona (1990-94).

San Francisco officials have not placed a timetable on completing their search but it is believed they would like to have their man in place by the end of the weekend.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.