Tag: 49ers defensive coordinator

Will Kyle Shanahan, 49ers fire another defensive coordinator?

Nick Sorensen doesn’t appear to be going anywhere any time soon.

One of the side effects of the San Francisco 49ers disastrous 2024 season has been an increasingly bright spotlight on the coaching staff.

While head coach Kyle Shanahan earned his share of scrutiny, defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen has come under fire after the 49ers defense allowed a combined 73 points across Weeks 12 and 13 in losses to the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills.

Despite a pair of putrid defensive performances, Shanahan backed his defensive coordinator in a Monday conference call.

“Yeah, I’m very satisfied with Nick,” Shanahan said. “I’m not at all satisfied with the results and how it’s going right now. But, some of the mistakes that we’ve made, I don’t think or what’s happened here in these last two weeks, I don’t think that’s a schematic issue. It’s a little bit more of a fundamental issue. And that also starts with me. That goes to all coaching, and it goes down to the players, it goes to everyone in this building. But the results here these last two weeks haven’t changed my opinion on Nick.”

The 49ers parted ways with defensive coordinator Steve Wilks after last season, so it makes sense Shanahan wouldn’t be eager to make another change in the coming offseason.

It’s also worth noting Sorensen is a first-time defensive coordinator and that Robert Saleh dealt with a couple of rough seasons before breaking out a star DC and head coaching candidate in 2019.

What’s clear, if Sorensen is indeed sticking around, the 49ers need something to change defensively. If it isn’t the defensive play caller, then it’s either a schematic shift that needs to happen or a personnel overhaul.

Even before their two-week meltdown there was a clear issue with a once-dominant San Francisco defense this season. How they go about making those changes will ultimately determine Sorensen’s future, and perhaps the future of the Shanahan era.

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NFL Twitter reacts to 49ers hiring Nick Sorensen as new defensive coordinator

Here’s what fans and analysts were saying on Twitter after the 49ers reportedly hired Nick Sorensen as their new defensive coordinator.

The San Francisco 49ers reportedly have a new defensive coordinator.

After one season of Steve Wilks at defensive coordinator, the 49ers are promoting defensive passing game specialist and nickles coach Nick Sorensen to defensive coordinator, per Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Along with promoting Sorensen, the 49ers are hiring former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley to a “prominent staff role,” according to Schefter and Fowler. The 49ers interviewed Staley as a candidate for defensive coordinator. Prior to joining the Chargers as head coach, Staley was defensive coordinator under Sean McVay with the Los Angeles Rams.

Via @AdamSchefter on Twitter:

Sorensen joined the 49ers as a defensive assistant in 2022. Prior to coaching on Kyle Shanahan’s staff, Sorensen was the special teams coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Before joining the Jaguars, Sorensen coached with the Seattle Seahawks from 2013 to 2020.

After the reported promotion of Sorensen and the hiring of Staley, the NFL community on Twitter exploded with reactions. Here’s what fans and analysts were saying on social media early on Saturday morning.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

Report: 49ers promote Nick Sorensen to defensive coordinator

The defensive passing game specialist has reportedly been promoted defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.

After an extended search that has included multiple candidates, the San Francisco 49ers have reportedly made a decision on their next defensive coordinator.

According to Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the 49ers are planning to promote defensive passing game specialist Nick Sorensen as their new defensive coordinator. Along with promoting Sorensen, the 49ers are also hiring former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley to a “prominent staff role,” per Shefter and Fowler. Staley initially interviewed for the 49ers opening at defensive coordinator.

Via @AdamSchefter on Twitter:

Sorensen joined Kyle Shanahan’s coaching staff in 2022 as the defensive passing game and nickles coach. Prior to joining the 49ers, Sorensen served as the Jacksonville Jaguars special teams coordinator in 2021. Along with Jacksonville, Sorensen has also served as an assistant coach of the Seattle Seahawks for eight seasons, winning a Super Bowl as a special teams coach in 2013. Sorensen also coached Seattle’s secondary from 2017 to 2020.

Prior to coaching, Sorensen played safety in the NFL from 2001 to 2010. Sorensen played for the St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns. Sorensen played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies. Before moving to defense, Sorensen played quarterback for the Hokies. Future No. 1 overall pick Michael Vick took over for Sorensen at quarterback at Virginia Tech.

After DeMeco Ryans left the 49ers to join the Houston Texans as head coach, the 49ers hired outside the organization for defensive coordinator with the addition of Steve Wilks. Following one season of Wilks as defensive coordinator, the 49ers keep it internal for their next defensive coordinator.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

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Report: 49ers interview Raiders safeties coach Gerald Alexander

Another candidate has emerged for the 49ers’ opening at defensive coordinator.

There is only one coordinator position open in the NFL and it remains with the San Francisco 49ers. Since moving on from Steve Wilks as defensive coordinator after one season with the team, the 49ers are without a defensive coordinator.

Multiple candidates have emerged for the 49ers’ opening with several coaches going through the interview process. The latest candidate to receive an interview is reportedly a coach on the Las Vegas Raiders’ staff.

According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, the 49ers have interviewed Raiders safeties coach Gerald Alexander.

Via @mattbarrows on Twitter:

The former 2007 second-round pick out of Bosie State played five seasons in the NFL before becoming a coach at the college level. In 2020, Brian Flores and the Miami Dolphins hired Alexander as the team’s defensive backs coach.

After coaching in Miami, Alexander was hired by the Pittsburgh Steelers as a defensive backs coach. During the current 2024 offseason, Alexander was hired as a defensive backs coach on Antonio Pierce’s staff with the Raiders.

Alexander joins Dave Merritt, Brandon Staley, Danel Bullocks, Nick Sorensen as candidates who have interviewed for the 49ers’ defensive coordinator position.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

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10 candidates 49ers should consider for defensive coordinator

The #49ers should look to replace Steve Wilks with one of these 10 candidates:

The 49ers on Wednesday added a box to their offseason checklist when they parted ways with defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. Filling that vacancy now becomes their top priority and it may be a huge key in helping the team get back to a Super Bowl after losing one – a nigh impossible feat.

Shanahan said the team will look at both internal and external candidates for the job, which leaves a massive pool to choose from. However, that pool will be narrowed by Shanahan’s defensive philosophy and what he’s expecting from his new DC.

Here are 10 candidates that the 49ers could (and probably should) look at: