49ers Clean House: Coaching Changes Signal New Direction

The San Francisco 49ers are making notable changes to their coaching staff following a disappointing 6–11 finish to the 2024 season.

San Francisco 49ers defensive passing game specialist coach Nick Sorensen against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, the team has relieved defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen of his duties. Despite this, head coach Kyle Shanahan and the organization intend to retain Sorensen in another role. Earlier in the day, the 49ers also parted ways with special teams coordinator Brian Schneider.

San Francisco’s defense showed mixed results this season, ranking eighth in the NFL in total yards allowed per game (317.4) but struggling to prevent scoring, with 25.6 points allowed per game—the fourth-worst mark in the league. The defense also struggled to create turnovers, finishing near the bottom of the league with 17 takeaways and a -10 turnover margin.

This marks the third consecutive year the 49ers will bring in a new defensive coordinator. After the 2022 season, DeMeco Ryans left to become the Houston Texans’ head coach, and in 2023, Steve Wilks was dismissed despite helping lead the team to a Super Bowl appearance.

Nick Sorensen originally joined the 49ers in 2022 as a defensive assistant before being promoted to defensive pass game specialist and nickelbacks coach in 2023.

Looking ahead, the 49ers will have a range of experienced defensive coaches to consider as they aim to return to Super Bowl contention. Potential candidates include Robert Saleh, a former 49ers defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020 and former New York Jets head coach, as well as Jeff Ulbrich, a former 49ers linebacker who worked under Shanahan in Atlanta. Other recently available defense-minded coaches, such as Dennis Allen, Matt Eberflus, and Jerod Mayo, may also be in the mix.