Report: 49ers promote passing game specialist Nick Sorensen to defensive coordinator
Mar 2, 2024, 6:12 AM | Updated: 6:24 am
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 20: Defensive Assistant Coach Nick Sorensen of the San Francisco 49ers talks with the linebackers on the sideline during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 20, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The 49ers defeated the Vikings 17-7. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
It appears the San Francisco 49ers have found their new defensive coordinator.
Overnight Friday into Saturday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the team has hired from within, promoting Nick Sorensen from passing game specialist to defensive coordinator. Additionally, former San Francisco Chargers coach Brandon Staley has been added to the coaching staff as the team’s new assistant head coach. Anthony Lynn, the team’s former assistant head coach, was hired earlier this offseason by the Washington Commanders as their new running game coordinator/RBs coach.
The team has not yet announced the moves.
The San Francisco 49ers fired former defensive coordinator Steve Wilks just days after the team lost to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII. Wilks was only in San Francisco for one season.
San Francisco’s assistant head coach last season was former Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn. Now their assistant head coach this season is expected to be former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley. https://t.co/bOZVPL3ZWP
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 2, 2024
Staley, 41, was fired as the Chargers’ coach following a lop-sided Week 15 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, 63-21. The Ohio native was in charge of the Bolts for almost three seasons, holding a 24-25 record as HC. His best NFL tenure came in his lone season with the LA Rams in 2020 as their DC. His unit ranked second in points allowed and points allowed per game, and first in yards allowed per game.
Outside of that, Staley’s only other NFL experience is as the outside linebackers coach with Chicago (2017-18) and Denver (2019).
Who is the new San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator?
Sorenson, 45, joined the 49ers’ staff in 202o as a defensive assistant, working his way up to defensive passing game specialist before last season. Before SF, he spent time in Jacksonville (2021) and Seattle (2013-20). Under Pete Carroll, Sorenson was the Seahawks’ special teams assistant (2013-16), secondary coach (2017-19), and secondary coach/nickel specialist (2020).
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