Tag: 49ers coaching staff

49ers add experienced assistant to defensive coaching staff

Former New York Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher is set to return to the NFL as an assistant for the San Francisco 49ers.

The San Francisco 49ers’ hire of defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is a bit of a gamble given that he only started coaching in 2017 – two years after retiring from the NFL. One way to help out the first-time coordinator is by surrounding him with experienced coaches. San Francisco is doing just that by bringing in former New York Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport had the first report.

Bettcher, 42, quickly made a name for himself in the coaching ranks after orchestrating a pair of top defenses for the Cardinals in his first two seasons as a defensive coordinator in 2015 and 2016. His third NFL season was Bruce Arians’ final one in Arizona, and while they finished 19th in points allowed, they were still No. 6 in total defense to make it three top-six finishes in three seasons.

Arians’ departure from Arizona left Bettcher without a job, but he quickly found one with the New York Giants. He struggled to make the personnel work with a rebuilding Giants club though and was again fired along with head coach Pat Shurmur after New York went 4-12 and finished No. 30 in points allowed and 25th in total defense.

After sitting out the 2020 campaign, Bettcher is back to help assist Ryans as a senior defensive assistant. His specific role is unknown, but San Francisco will need to retool its defensive staff with Robert Saleh now coaching the Jets.

 

Is 49ers next defensive coordinator already on their staff?

49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh may have given a clue as to who the 49ers next defensive coordinator will be.

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The 49ers could very well be in the market for a new defensive coordinator this offseason. Robert Saleh was a hot name in the head coaching market last year, and he’s only helped his stock going into a year where a rash of teams will be looking for a new head coach. Saleh on Thursday might’ve given some insight into who his replacement might be.

One assistant, linebackers coach DeMeco Ryans, received a ton of praise from Saleh during his Thursday video conference.

“DeMeco is well-spoken. He’s got a lot of respect from his players. He’s incredibly intelligent. He is a sponge for knowledge,” Saleh Said. “Even though he’s played in this league, he’s been a Pro Bowler, he was Defensive Rookie of the Year. He still learns. I see him taking notes every day. Coach is talking, he’s taking notes. I’m talking, he’s taking notes. DB coach is talking, he’s taking notes. He is an absolute sponge in that regard, which tells you that he’s not just going to take a system and go, he’s going to evolve. So, because of that, I just think he’s got a really good chance to continue to evolve and be a head coach one day.”

Tabbing a linebackers coach as a future head coach means there’s likely a jump in between for Ryans. Defensive coordinator is the logical next step, and the 49ers will be in the market for one if Saleh exits. Ryans would be a great candidate regardless of where he’s coming from, but the fact he’s already in the building, knows the players and knows the defense makes him an even better choice.

Since Shanahan and Saleh talk about the defensive coordinator’s eventual exit, it tracks that they’d talk about assistants. If Ryans is that highly thought of, it also tracks that his name’s come up between Shanahan and Saleh as an eventual DC either in San Francisco or with whichever club Saleh winds up as the head coach for.

There’ll be a lot of experienced defensive coordinators available in the offseason, but if Ryans is going to be a future head coach like Saleh thinks he will be, it might behoove the 49ers to keep him in the building with a promotion.

Report: 49ers to hire former Dolphins DB coach as secondary coach

Tony Oden has had a ton of success in his NFL coaching career.

The 49ers lost defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Joe Woods when the Cleveland Browns hired him as their defensive coordinator. They quickly went to work looking for Woods’ replacement, and are set to hire former Dolphins defensive backs coach Tony Oden according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.

Oden, 47, made his debut as an NFL coach in 2004 as an assistant on the Texans’ defensive staff. He was also there in 2005 when 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh got his first NFL job as an intern with Houston.

Oden also spent time with the Saints, Buccaneers and Lions before making his way to the Dolphins where he spent the last two seasons. He won a Super Bowl with the Saints in 2010, and coached with 49ers’ defensive line coach Kris Kocurek during his four-year stint in Detroit.

Woods held two positions with the 49ers, including the job of passing game coordinator which was a position that only existed upon Woods’ arrival. There’s no word on whether Oden will take over those passing game coordinator duties, or if he’ll strictly hold the title of secondary coach.

The 49ers are coming off a year where they finished with the No. 1 pass defense in the league, but the key for Oden will be developing some of the younger talent on the roster. San Francisco has several young players in the secondary who need to perform more consistently to carve out full-time starting roles. If Oden can step in and develop players like Ahkello Witherspoon and Emmanuel Moseley, the 49ers will be in a good place to continue possessing one of the NFL’s top defenses.