In a span of just three days, the San Francisco 49ers have already made some sweeping changes after failing to make the playoffs just one year after narrowly losing in the Super Bowl.
They fired special teams coordinator Brian Schneider and defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, and on Wednesday, they announced that Klay Kubiak will be their offensive coordinator moving forward.
As far as filling their void at defensive coordinator, the Niners will be looking to hire Robert Saleh, who held that post not too long ago, per JosinaAnderson.
Just-in: I’m told Robert Saleh’s first head coach interview with the #Jaguars is Tuesday. Another head coach interview is expected thereafter. The #49ers are also expected to make him an offer at defensive coordinator, per sources. https://t.co/RZ1zgicFsp
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 8, 2025
After many years as an assistant in both the NFL and NCAA, Saleh was brought in to be the Niners’ defensive coordinator in 2017, and he became a big part of their quick turnaround under head coach Kyle Shanahan, who was hired for that role the same year.
After winning a combined 10 games in 2017 and 2018, the team went 13-3 in 2019 and reached the Super Bowl, and it did so behind the strength of its defense.
Saleh left after the 2020 season to become the head coach of the New York Jets, a job he held until earlier this season when he was fired in a questionable and controversial move.
Many members of the Niners Faithful have been begging for Saleh to return as the team’s defensive coordinator.
Under Sorensen, who was in his first year as a defensive coordinator, San Francisco went from third in points allowed the previous season to 29th in points allowed this season, and their pass rush was often missing in action.
NEXT: John Lynch Sends A Clear Message About Brock Purdy’s Future With 49ers