Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch want continuity with next 49ers’ DC
Feb 3, 2023, 6:30 AM | Updated: 8:54 am
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Change is on the horizon for the 49ers in 2023, particularly on the defense.
Former 49ers’ defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans was introduced as the new head coach of the Houston Texans Thursday. Signing a lucrative six-year deal, Ryans is tasked with turning the Texans’ franchise around after a few years of misfortune.
“I love DeMeco, one of the best coaches I’ve ever been around, best people I’ve ever been around,” Kyle Shanahan said at Wednesday’s press conference. “Him and Jamila mean the world to us and I really wish they weren’t going, but it’s more than deserved and more than earned. And I think they made the best hire by far that was available because DeMeco is going to be a great one. He already has been.”
On the flip side, the San Francisco 49ers must pick up the pieces once again.
Losing a significant coach for the third consecutive time, the Red & Gold are more prepared to rebuild, but the loss of a great coach looms large with Ryans’ departure.
Already getting to work in Houston, Ryans and the Texans have sought out 49ers’ staffers. Offensive passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik and passing game specialist Cory Undlin are both preliminary candidates for larger coaching roles with Houston.
Hoping to keep most of the coaching staff together, Shanahan is aware of Ryans’s ambitions with the Texans franchise, hoping to find a resolution for both organizations.
“I know he loves our staff and he knows I’m working through that too right now, so DeMeco and I will be probably talking a lot here over the next two weeks and I’m just trying to do what’s best for the 49ers,” Shanahan stated. “I know he is trying to do what’s best for Houston and we’re both going to try to do what’s best for all the families involved too with our number one job being to do it for the organizations.”
This offseason, the 49ers will start their DC search in the middle, hoping to pick up where they left off in the 2022 playoffs. Whether that be internally or externally, San Francisco wants continuity in 2023.
“I love our defensive staff, I love our defense. I’m trying to get something where we don’t have to turn much over. I would love to keep our same staff, so I’m going to talk to some guys on our staff. I’m going to talk to some guys outside of our staff and hopefully whichever way we decide to go, whether we bring in a new guy or not, that it’s someone who can work with who we have and what we’ve accomplished here because I love the scheme that we run and I feel the foundation we have on the D-line, at linebacker, at corner, at safety, I think our players fit very well in it too, so I’m hoping to find someone who fits with us personality-wise and scheme wise,” Shanahan explained.
To replace Ryans, the Red & Gold have already inquired about a number of candidates, including former 49ers’ DC Vic Fangio. But alas, it wasn’t meant to be this time.
Fangio agreed to terms on a massive deal with the Miami Dolphins, making him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in the NFL.
Shanahan clearly wants to keep a 4-3 ("continuity") for the 49ers' defense. Vic Fangio obviously runs a 3-4. Entirely possible that the two sides couldn't find enough common ground
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) February 2, 2023
Fangio, 64, previously served as the Red & Gold DC under Jim Harbaugh from 2011 to 2014. During his tenure, the 49ers had a record of 44-19-1, making the conference championship in three of the four seasons in the Bay.
Besides Fangio, the 49ers have requested an interview with former Panthers’ interim head coach Steve Wilks this week. Wilks took over for Matt Rhule midseason, finishing the year with Carolina at 7-10.
The 49ers are also interested in Chris Harris, the Washington Commanders’ defensive backs coach. Harris, 40, joined the Washington franchise in 2020, going 22-27-1 in three seasons.
San Francisco could also be looking internally for the solution, with defensive line coach Kris Kocurek primed for promotion.
With several options at their disposal, Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch will take a calculated approach to keep a similar formula intact for 2023.
#49ers are committed to having a true process of vetting their next hire at defensive coordinator, even with Vic Fangio's vast resume, per league source.
The #49ers are still evaluating candidates including Chris Harris, Steve Wilks & the possibility of promoting Kris Kocurek.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) February 2, 2023
Click here to watch Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch’s final press conference of the 2022 season
