49ers fill last remaining major hole on their coaching staff by announcing hire of experienced special teams coordinator
The San Francisco 49ers have filled the biggest remaining void on their coaching staff by announcing the hire of Brant Boyer as their new special teams coordinator. Boyer is a former colleague of defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who was rehired for a second spell as defensive coordinator last week. An extremely experienced special teams coach, […]
The San Francisco 49ers have filled the biggest remaining void on their coaching staff by announcing the hire of Brant Boyer as their new special teams coordinator.
Boyer is a former colleague of defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who was rehired for a second spell as defensive coordinator last week.
An extremely experienced special teams coach, Boyer had worked as the special teams coordinator of the New York Jets since 2016, serving under Saleh during his time as Jets head coach. Saleh was hired in 2021 but fired by the Jets in October.
With Saleh's departure and the appointment of Aaron Glenn by the Jets came the chance for Boyer to seek opportunities elsewhere, and he has landed back with Saleh in the Bay Area, replacing Brian Schneider.
Schneider was fired after a dismal 2024 season from the 49ers' special teams, which finished 31st in DVOA.
Boyer's Jets unit was not that much better this season, ending the year 24th in DVOA.
But he was able to coax some extremely impressive special teams play from the Jets during his time in the role in New York.
Indeed, the Jets were fifth by the same metric in 2023 and second in 2021. They were 21st in 2022 and 29th in 2020.
While the Jets' special teams performance under Boyer has been volatile, New York was one of the best in the league in that regard in two of his three full seasons under Saleh, whose input may well have helped tip the scales in Boyer's favor.
The 49ers also interviewed another extremely experienced special teams coach in Chris Tabor as well as two rising young assistants in Jett Modkins (Detroit Lions) and Chris Banjo (Denver Broncos). Nick Sorensen, relieved of his duties as defensive coordinator after the 2024 season, was also said to be in the mix for a move to special teams.
But the 49ers instead opted for Boyer. While his special teams units endured some inconsistency in New York, San Francisco will hope he can at the very least raise the floor in that facet of the game to ensure it is not the albatross it was for the Niners in 2024.
Important dates to remember for the San Francisco 49ers in 2025: Free agency, draft, trades, and deadline for roster moves
It will hopefully be a bounce-back year.
