For the second time in five years, the San Francisco 49ers lost the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite leading for most of the game and scoring first (on a field goal) in overtime, the 49ers defense was unable to stop Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense when it mattered the most. Kansas City marched down the field at will in overtime and scored the game-winning touchdown, seemingly with ease.
As a result, head coach Kyle Shanahan made the decision to fire defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. Despite San Francisco having the third-best scoring defense in the NFL, allowing just 17.5 points per game, Shanahan claimed that the communication between staff and players on the defensive side of the ball was less than ideal.
His goal, therefore, was to find a new coordinator who would be able to maximize the level of talent on a defense that boasted multiple Pro Bowl players in 2023.
There Were Plenty of Candidates for the San Francisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator Position
Earlier this week, it was reported that the 49ers interviewed five-time Super Bowl winning assistant coach Dave Merritt for the job of defensive coordinator. Merritt won two Super Bowls as a defensive coach with the New York Giants and has won three as the secondary coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.
In addition to Merritt, former NFL head coaches Mike Vrable and Bill Belichick were linked to the job at one point or another. Belichick, however, is likely taking the year off before pursuing a different head coaching job next season while Vrable is going to be working with his former roommate, Luke Fickell, head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers.
Other candidates for the job included Nick Sorensen, the 49ers’ own passing game specialist and former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley. Both were hired to prominent roles, according to a breaking report his morning.
The San Francisco 49ers Hire Nick Sorensen as Defensive Coordinator and Brandon Staley to Prominent Role
“Two big hires in San Francisco: the 49ers plan to hire their defensive passing game specialist Nick Sorensen as their new defensive coordinator, and former Chargers HC Brandon Staley for a prominent staff role, possibly assistant head coach, sources tell Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler.”
Sorensen joined the 49ers’ staff as a defensive assistant in 2022. Last season, he was promoted to passing game coordinator and nickels coach.
Prior to coaching in San Francisco, Sorensen played in the NFL for 10 seasons with the St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Cleveland Browns. A former safety, he was the quarterback at Virginia Tech before losing the job to Michael Vick. He switched to defense and turned the situation into a long career in the NFL.
After his playing days were over, Sorensen was a member of the Seattle Seahawks’ coaching staff from 2013-2020. In 2021, he was hired as the special teams coordinator of the Jaguars.
Staley, of course, is formerly the head coach of the the Chargers. Prior to that, he was the defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams.
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