Santa Clara, California – Coach Kyle Shanahan is in the final stages of completing the search for the 49ers’ new defensive coordinator, having conducted interviews with potential candidates both from within and outside the organization. Following the departure of Steve Wilks as defensive coordinator after just one season, Shanahan has been actively seeking his replacement.
Shanahan has already interviewed former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley and 49ers defensive passing game specialist Nick Sorensen for the position. The coaching staff is also set to consider Daniel Bullocks, the team’s current defensive backs coach, as a candidate for the role. In compliance with NFL rules, the 49ers are required to interview a minimum of two minority candidates for all coordinator positions.
The decision to part ways with Wilks came shortly after the 49ers’ defeat at Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs. Shanahan expressed that while the choice was a difficult one, he believed it was in the best interest of the organization to move in a different direction. The coaching staff, led by Shanahan, opted to stay back in Santa Clara during the NFL Scouting Combine, while General Manager John Lynch and the scouting department attended the event in Indianapolis.
Staley, who was recently let go by the Chargers, boasts NFL coaching experience both as a head coach and a defensive coordinator. On the other hand, Sorensen has steadily climbed the coaching ranks, starting as a defensive assistant for the 49ers before transitioning into a more specialized role. Likewise, Bullocks has been a longstanding member of the 49ers coaching staff, adapting to various positions since Shanahan’s arrival in 2017.
As Shanahan finalizes the selection process for the new defensive coordinator, the 49ers are poised to make a strategic decision that will shape the team’s defense for the upcoming season. With a mix of internal promotions and external considerations, Shanahan is diligently working towards solidifying the coaching staff to ensure the team’s continued success on the field.