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After a tough loss to the Los Angeles Rams in a low-scoring battle, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa saw some positives in the defense’s progress. Despite an inconsistent start to the season under defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, Bosa was encouraged by the team’s ability to hold the Rams to just 12 points and 4.6 yards per play in a December 12 game.
At that point, Bosa believed Sorensen and the defensive group could remain mostly intact for 2025, even stating, “We have the right people in terms of coaches and players.”
However, the defense’s struggles in the final three games—allowing an average of 38.7 points and 404.3 yards per game without forcing a single turnover—led to a shift in tone from Bosa.
“I think he’s a good coach,” Bosa said about Sorensen. “But it’s not my decision.”
That decision fell to head coach Kyle Shanahan, who, despite showing confidence in Sorensen throughout the season, ultimately decided to move on. Now, the 49ers are searching for their fourth defensive coordinator in as many years.
Past Challenges and Fresh Opportunities
Of the team’s recent defensive coordinators, only DeMeco Ryans stayed for more than one season before becoming the Houston Texans’ head coach. Last year’s coordinator, Steve Wilks, was replaced after the 49ers reached the Super Bowl. Sorensen might stay with the team in another role, but Shanahan believes fresh options could better suit the team’s needs.
“It was a real tough decision,” Shanahan explained. “I love Nick as a person and I love him as a coach… But just where we’re at, really as a team, where I think we need to go. There are a lot of big decisions ahead for us. And 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 for our team.”
Unlike the previous two years, where playoff runs limited their pool of candidates, the 49ers now have a chance to interview a wider range of experienced coordinators.
Top Candidates for the Job
One leading name is Robert Saleh, who served as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020 before becoming the New York Jets head coach. Saleh is familiar with Shanahan’s 4-3 defensive scheme, has experience working with key defensive players, and has shown adaptability when dealing with injuries.
Saleh recently interviewed for the job, but head coaching interviews with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders could complicate his availability.
Another strong contender is Jeff Ulbrich, a San Jose native and former 49ers linebacker who stepped in as the Jets’ interim coach after Saleh. The 49ers previously considered hiring Ulbrich, who also aligns with Shanahan’s defensive preferences.
Former New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen is another intriguing option. Allen brings extensive experience, including eight years as a defensive coordinator and nearly six seasons as an NFL head coach. Shanahan holds Allen in high regard, especially after his Saints defense stymied the 49ers’ offense in a 2022 game. While Allen has been linked to other defensive coordinator openings, he remains a possibility for the 49ers.
Brandon Staley, who joined the 49ers as assistant head coach last season, is the only in-house candidate the organization has considered. Shanahan plans to interview him, while other potential names include Gus Bradley, Lou Anarumo, Patrick Graham (if available), and Deshea Townsend, who has already interviewed.
Adapting the Defensive Philosophy
Since 2017, the 49ers have relied on a defensive scheme featuring heavy zone coverage, minimal blitzing, and a four-man front. This approach has led the league in zone coverage usage (61.2%) and blitzing at one of the NFL’s lowest rates (22.4%).
While Shanahan has favored this system, he’s open to exploring other options. This could benefit candidates like Staley, a disciple of Vic Fangio who employs more varied defensive looks.
“I love the scheme we’ve had here,” Shanahan said. “I think it’s one of the hardest things to go to when you’ve got the right guys in the right spots… I’m not saying you’ve got to change schemes, but you have to have the ability, the history and the knowledge of how to change some stuff up when you’re in some certain situations. And I think that we do need that more going forward.”
As the 49ers navigate their search, Shanahan’s focus remains on finding a coordinator who can both maintain the team’s core identity and adapt when necessary. The decision will shape the defense’s future and its ability to overcome challenges in the 2025 season.
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This report used information from ESPN.
