San Francisco 49ers’ Defensive Coordinator Candidates To Replace Nick Sorensen

The San Francisco 49ers are on the search for a defensive coordinator once again after firing Nick Sorensen following just one season in that role.

San Francisco has now gone through three defensive coordinators in the past three seasons. DeMeco Ryans held that that role as recent as 2022 before taking the Houston Texans head coaching job ahead of the 2023 campaign. Steve Wilks was brought on to replace him. But he lasted just one season before being fired.

Coming off an extremely disappointing 6-11 season, head coach Kyle Shanahan is not being too specific in what he’s looking for in that role.

“As hard as it is for me to come to this conclusion, I feel there are some options out there that can end up being a better option in the situation that we’re in,” Shanahan said in his end-of-season press conference, via the 49ers’ official website. “And, when really it comes down to that, in the position I’m in, regardless of anything else, that’s always the stuff I’ve got to go with.”

Despite this, candidates have already emerged to replace Sorensen. That includes former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley. He served as a defensive assistant this past season in Santa Clara.

Whether the 49ers are looking at a scheme shift or something completely different, they are casting a wide net here.

Known Candidates To Become Next San Francisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator

Shanahan and Co. have already conducted multiple interviews for this all-important role. That includes one very familiar name for the red and gold faithful.

The expectation here is that a decision will be made fairly shortly. San Francisco will want to have this situation settled well before NFL free agency starts in March. Here is what we know about candidates that have become public record.

Brandon Staley

I mentioned his name at the very top. Sure, a majority of 49ers fans would not be happy with this hire given how Staley’s tenure ended with the Chargers back in 2023. Rememeber, his final game before being fired resulted in the Las Vegas Raiders dropping a 63 spot on Los Angeles.

With that said, there is an experience factor here. Before becoming the Chargers’ head coach back in 2021 and lasting nearly three seasons that role, he enjoyed success as a defensive coordinator. That included fielding a top-10 scoring defense with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

At the very least, Shanahan is going to give Staley a chance to make his statement in the interview process.

“I’ll give Staley a shot. I just talked to him; he’s been here,” Shanahan told reporters recently.

Robert Saleh

49ers fans are certainly familiar with Saleh. He acted as the defensive coordinator in Santa Clara from 2017-20 before landing the New York Jets’ head coaching job in 2021.

Saleh enjoyed a tremendous amount of success in his four seasons as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator. That included San Francisco finishing fourth in total defense back in 2019.

This seems to be the most-likely outcome in Santa Clara. However, the 49ers face competition.

Saleh is a candidate for the head coaching vacancy with the Las Vegas Raiders to replace the fired Antonio Pierce. The veteran coach has already interviewed with San Francisco and is expected to be offered the job.

Deshea Townsend

This might come out of left field to some. But it really shouldn’t. A veteran NFL defensive back for 13 seasons and two-time Super Bowl champion, Townsend has a ton of experience.

He’s currently the Detroit Lions’ defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach. That unit has excelled for perhaps the best team in the NFL.

Townsend’s coaching experience dates all the way back to 2011 when he was the assistant defensive backs coach with the Arizona Cardinals. He has also enjoyed roles with the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars. While the NFL veteran does not have experience in this role, he deserves a shot.

Bottom Line In San Francisco 49ers’ Defensive Coordinator Search

We’re going to hear about other names being involved in what is a very popular opening. As I said before, the 49ers will be casting a wide net.

For now, it appears that Saleh is the safe bet should he not land a head coaching job. It makes perfect sense for both parties. Staley is a current long shot to become the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator. San Francisco was pretty much forced to give him a chance as an internal candidate given his experience.