Bill Belichick continues to sit on the sidelines —and as each day passes — it seems more and more likely one of the greatest coaches in NFL history won’t be on the sidelines for the first time in several decades in 2024.
Belichick had discussed potential coaching opportunities with other teams, but those teams ultimately decided to go in a different direction.
Most assumed that Belichick was only being considered for head coaching positions – a reasonable guess to make based on his stature and experience.
One recent report says that one NFL team reached out to Belichick for a different job instead of taking over as their new head coach.
According to Mike Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Francisco 49ers called Belichick about their open defensive coordinator position earlier this offseason.
The team fired Steve Wilks after losing the Super Bowl, and Bill Belichick was apparently at one point under consideration for the job.
The San Francisco 49ers ended up promoting from within, elevating defensive passing game coordinator Nick Sorenson to the defensive coordinator role.
Bill Belichick has been known for his acumen on defense, and he’s even won Super Bowls with the New York Giants as a defensive coordinator.
He won two championships working with head coach Bill Parcells and future Hall of Fame players Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson.
San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan has great respect for Belichick, as he said in a 2018 press conference that he would consider adding Belichick to his coaching staff if he was ever available.
“I mean, if Bill Belichick became available two weeks from now and said he wants to come here, and I was told I had to let someone go to bring him in, that would probably be a smart decision to do that,” Shanahan said after the 2018 season.
Right now, it seems that Belichick won’t be part of an NFL organization this season.
His pursuit of the all-time wins record will have to wait at least one more year as the legendary coach continues to chip away at Don Shula’s mark
It’s interesting to know Shanahan would have brought on such a powerful force in a coordinator role that would have to report to him. It would be fascinating to watch that play out.
San Francisco 49ers Didn’t Hire Bill Belichick, But Continue To Make Significant Staff Changes Since Super Bowl Loss
The San Francisco 49ers quieted the rumors last week when promoting defensive pass game coordinator and nickels coach Nick Sorensen to defensive coordinator, looking to fill the void internally after going external last offseason with Steve Wilks.
In addition to promoting Sorensen, the 49ers hired former Los Angeles Chargers Brandon Staley as a defensive specialist, which came after they interviewed him for their defensive coordinator vacancy.
With Sorensen becoming the next defensive coordinator, the 49ers are getting someone with a diverse background, as the former passing game coordinator has special teams experience as a coordinator, while also being a disciple of the Seattle system, having worked there from 2016-20.
Although the young former defensive assistant doesn’t have the pedigree of Bill Belichick, it’s clear Shanahan is comfortable with the hire and is surrounding him with talent (a former NFL head coach).
Like Wilks, Sorensen comes into the role with a defensive back background, although he’ll be tasked with doing the primary thing that his predecessor struggled with: marrying the pass rush to the secondary.
However, Sorensen’s leash is much smaller than Demeco Ryans’s, given the San Francisco 49ers’ closing Super Bowl window, which could arguably end after this upcoming season with the team’s current core of star players.
While Ryans had time to develop into an elite defensive coordinator between his first and second years, Sorensen needs to adapt quickly and find his groove as a playcaller as the 49ers look to push their eggs in with hopes of another deep playoff run and a Lombardi Trophy this season
But, his role is unknown with the San Francisco 49ers, as it’ll be expected that he’ll help with the creativity on the gameplanning side.
Now, Staley could be an essential asset in helping the 49ers’ defense reach its old heights while serving behind the scenes.
On Thursday the 49ers added another well-known staffer by hiring former Raiders OC Mick Lombardi, who served as assistant head coach in San Francisco under Jim Harbaugh.
As for Bill Belichick, most assume we will be seeing him on our television screens breaking down the NFL in some capacity in 2024.