Tag: Brandon Staley

49ers plan to hire former Rams DC Brandon Staley

Brandon Staley is heading to a division rival, joining the 49ers’ staff in a prominent role

Brandon Staley was fired by the Chargers last season but he won’t be out of football completely this year. While Staley didn’t land a defensive coordinator position despite drawing interest, he is joining the San Francisco 49ers’ staff, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

He’s being hired to a “prominent staff role” in San Francisco, potentially even assistant head coach alongside Kyle Shanahan. Staley worked one year as the Rams’ defensive coordinator in 2020, when Los Angeles ranked first in total defense, but he’ll now try to beat Los Angeles twice a year as a member of the rival team up north.

Staley’s tenure with the Chargers did not go well, finishing with a 24-24 record in two-plus seasons. The Chargers made the playoffs once but lost in the first round, never finishing better than 10-7 in a single season.

Report: 49ers hiring former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley as assistant head coach

The former Chargers head coach is reportedly being hired as the 49ers new assistant head coach.

Brandon Staley, former head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers was a candidate for the San Francisco 49ers’ opening at defensive coordinator, receiving an interview with the team.

While the 49ers have reportedly promoted defensive passing game specialist Nick Sorensen to defensive coordinator, the former Chargers play caller is still expected to join the 49ers in Santa Clara.

According to Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the 49ers are hiring Staley to assistant head coach.

Via @AdamSchefter on Twitter:

Staley served as head coach of the Chargers for three seasons, compiling a 24-24 regular season record. Staley dropped his only playoff game to the Chargers with a brutal loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022.

Prior to being named head coach of the Chargers, Staley served as defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams under Sean McVay.

Staley will replace former Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn who recently served as assistant head coach of the 49ers. Lynn was hired by the Washington Commanders during the offseason.

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:

Chargers WR Quentin Johnston reflects on rookie season, eyes breakout sophomore campaign

Quentin Johnston is ready to put his rookie season behind him and put together a solid sophomore campaign.

Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston is coming off his rookie season. A season in which he finished with 38 catches for 417 yards and two touchdowns.

Johnston recently spoke with Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez to talk about the opportunity where he and two other first-year players are inviting cruisers to score an unforgettable vacation getaway as well as his rookie campaign and what to expect in Year 2.

CW: Can you tell us about your partnership with Pepsi Zero Sugar and Carnival Cruise Line?

QJ: I’m excited to be partnering with Pepsi Zero Sugar and Carnival Cruise to kick off my rookie season. We are giving first-time cruisers a chance to set sail.

CW: How do fans enter for a chance to win the “Board a Rookie. Return a Pro.” Sweepstakes?

QJ: They can win the sweepstakes by visiting pepsirookiecruise.com.

CW: You’re now removed from your rookie season. Reflect on your first year in the pros.

QJ: Yeah, you know, everybody’s first season is kind of unexpected in a way just because this is the longest season. I thought my last college season was long just because we went to the playoffs and everything. But by the time that was over, we were still having NFL games, so a great learning experience with some great guys. Being on the field and then in the actual meeting room with Keenan. Guys like Mike. You know, day in and day out. It helped me elevate my game and just my mental knowledge of the game of football altogether.

CW: It seemed like you faced a lot of pressure, like most first-round picks do. But I believe expectations regarding rookies need to be tempered. What do you tell people that are that way? What are you looking to improve and what do you feel like you had a lot of success in your rookie season?

QJ: Just tell them once you’re drafted, you’re drafted. It doesn’t really matter where you get drafted you’re on the team and just be patient. I feel like a lot of rookies have different experiences and from my experience, it’s still football. But from college to the NFL, that’s a few levels up. Stuff like that takes time to get used to. I feel like, at this point, I have a full season under my belt. Starting to train with real professional guys day in and day out. Next season I feel like it will be more of my breakout season, and I’m very excited about it.

CW: Who would you say that you were the closest with and what was the best advice given?

QJ: Keenan Allen, for sure. On the field, you know he’s a great route runner. So just watching him come in and out of his breaks, especially starting camp. Just watching him and he’s doing it at a high level. He’d put me to the side and just start showing me how to tempo through certain routes and stuff like that. Off the field, stuff like film study, how to develop a routine when you’re away from the field so you can come back and refresh and have everything that you need to put your best foot forward the next day.

CW: How about former Chargers wide receiver coach Chris Beatty? He’s with the Bears now. He was your first positional coach in the NFL. What did you learn from him? What did he teach you? And what can you say about Chris?

QJ: Coach Beatty was a pretty good coach. He was my first NFL coach. That was a great experience with him. He’s been with a lot of teams and has coached a lot of good guys that I looked up to growing up. Guys like Tavon Austin. He would just tell me how those guys developed through the years and how I can develop, where he sees me at different points in the season. Hard coaching to set me up for this season coming up here, so I appreciate him for that.

CW: You’re having one of the most prestigious coaches in Jim Harbaugh coming in. I think people forget that you had a really good game against Michigan in the 2022 Fiesta Bowl, too. 6 catches, 163 yards and a touchdown. What can you say about Jim? What are you looking forward to?

QJ: Very, very excited to have him. He actually shot me a text a few days after he got the job, and then a day or two after that, we got on the phone and had a cool little conversation about everything. We did talk about that Michigan game when we played them. So that was that was a pretty fun conversation. He wasn’t too happy about that. But I’m excited for him coming off this success he’s been having and we’re going to do everything we can to make that translate for him and for us to the next level.

CW: What can fans expect from you in Year 2?

QJ: I have a full year under my belt. I will continue to listen and learn from the other guys in the wide receiver room. Continue to master my craft. So I can guarantee this will be my breakout season and I’m just going to have fun while I’m doing it.

11 candidates for Cowboys vacant defensive coordinator position

The Cowboys are in need of fresh perspective in the defensive coordinator role, but it may be a difficult fill. 11 candidates, both internal and external. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Cowboys are in a unique situation now. They are going to have to find a new defensive coordinator after the departure of Dan Quinn. Quinn became Washington’s new head coach, and will have a playground to work with that includes $63 million in cap space and the No. 2 overall selection in a QB-heavy draft class.

That Dallas needs to replace a coordinator isn’t a big deal. The fact that their head coach is going into the final year of his contract without an extension is what makes things difficult. Defensive assistants in positive environments, or with a bunch of opportunities, might hesitate to pack up their lives (and families) for what might be a one-and-done.

On the other hand, veteran defensive minds might look at this as an opportunity to audition for one of the most famous sports jobs in America. Theoretically, a coach with experience would be in line to be at worst an interim hire should things go bad for Mike McCarthy’s offense and an in-season firing happened. They’d at least get consideration for the gig were Dallas to move on from McCarthy at the end of the 2024 season.

And if there’s success? Then the DC would be in running for head coach job elsewhere in 2025. With that in mind, here’s a collection of names —both internal and external —that could be on Jerry Jones and company’s radar as the interview process convenes.

Rams interviewing Brandon Staley for defensive coordinator job Wednesday

The Rams will interview Brandon Staley for their defensive coordinator position on Wednesday

Brandon Staley is among the candidates for the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator position and on Wednesday, he’ll officially interview for the job, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The Rams have been linked to Staley since Raheem Morris left to become the Atlanta Falcons’ head coach, and while it was reported he would interview with Los Angeles this week, we now know when that meeting will take place.

A reunion between the Rams and Staley would make sense. Staley coached the Rams’ top-ranked defense in 2020, his only year as a defensive coordinator, before becoming the Chargers’ head coach in 2021. His tenure with the Chargers didn’t go well but some coaches are better suited to be coordinators than head coaches, and Staley could fit that mold.

Tracking all of the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator interviews

Who the Dolphins are interview to replace Vic Fangio.

The Miami Dolphins, following the conclusion of their 2023 campaign, have parted ways with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio after just one season.

Now, before Miami fully dives into the process of preparing for 2024, they’ll need to find a replacement for Fangio to lead the team’s defense.

We’ll keep track of all coaches who are interviewing or being requested to interview for the position here:

Rams to interview Brandon Staley for defensive coordinator job next week

The Rams are bringing in Brandon Staley for an interview next week

The Los Angeles Rams are in search of a new defensive coordinator after losing Raheem Morris to the Atlanta Falcons and they’re at least considering the possibility of bringing back Brandon Staley. According to Albert Breer, the Rams will bring in Staley for an interview next week after he interviews with the Dolphins on Monday.

Staley also interviewed for the Packers’ defensive coordinator position, so he’s getting looks from three different teams.

Staley was the Rams’ defensive coordinator for one season in 2020 before becoming the Chargers’ head coach in 2021, a job he held for two-plus years before being fired this past season.

When Staley was with the Rams, they had the No. 1-ranked defense in points and yards allowed. The Chargers struggled under his guidance, however, going just 24-24 in 48 games with Staley as the head coach.

4 things to know about Dolphins defensive coordinator candidate Brandon Staley

Get to know the former Chargers coach who’s interviewing for Miami’s open DC position.

With their 2023 season now in the rearview, the Miami Dolphins are interviewing candidates for their defensive coordinator role, which was left open after the team mutually parted ways with Vic Fangio.

To this point, there have only been two known coaches who will interview for the job – Bobby Babich and Brandon Staley.

Before Mike McDaniel, Chris Grier and Stephen Ross make a decision on who will run the defense, let’s take some time to get to know Staley.

Former Chargers HC Brandon Staley to interview with Packers and Dolphins

Brandon Staley is reportedly a hot defensive coordinator on the market.

Former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley has entered the pool of defensive coordinator candidates for teams with vacancies this offseason.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Staley will interview with Green Bay on Friday and then Miami on Saturday. The Rams are also reported to have interest in their former 2020 defensive coordinator following the departure of now Falcons head coach Raheem Morris.

Staley rose to prominence initially following his work with the Rams in 2020. Leading the No. 1 ranked defense in the league with his unique light box defensive style eventually earned him the gig with the Chargers. It would make some institutional sense for Staley to replace Morris with a decent comfort level in the franchise and opportunity to reunite with Sean McVay.

With Miami and Green Bay, Staley does have perhaps a unique perspective to spin on similar schemes. Former Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry worked under Staley’s defense in Los Angeles as linebackers coach. Ultimately, it seems like the Packers want a new play caller approach to the same Vic Fangio style scheme that Barry ran.

The same could be said for Staley’s Miami interview. He could bring a Fangio-inspired defensive approach to replacing his former mentor. Reportedly, Fangio and the Dolphins’ split was mutual as he pursued an opportunity to work closer to home with Philadelphia. If the Dolphins wanted to keep the same system in place with Jalen Ramsey, Staley would fit right in. The two obviously worked magic together with the 2020 Rams.

Staley is reportedly a hot defensive coordinator on the market, per Ian Rapoport. Lining up two interviews with another team interested does give credence to that. However, I’d be curious to see how Staley answers for  never having a single-season defense that ranked higher than 19th in EPA/play in his time with the Chargers. Or, the league-wide trend that the two high shell schemes that have not been run by Fangio himself have been taking a beating recently.