Kyle Shanahan explains the benefits of adding Brandon Staley to the San Francisco 49ers' coaching staff
On Tuesday, the San Francisco 49ers moved to end one of the big mysteries of the offseason by clarifying Brandon Staley's role. The 49ers hired the former Los Angeles Chargers head coach in an unspecified capacity at the same time as promoting defensive passing game specialist Nick Sorensen to defensive coordinator. Staley's title had previously […]
On Tuesday, the San Francisco 49ers moved to end one of the big mysteries of the offseason by clarifying Brandon Staley's role.
The 49ers hired the former Los Angeles Chargers head coach in an unspecified capacity at the same time as promoting defensive passing game specialist Nick Sorensen to defensive coordinator.
Staley's title had previously not been confirmed, but the 49ers did just that ahead of their second practice of OTAs, announcing he will serve in the position of assistant head coach/defense.
Given Staley's previous experience coordinating defense, most successfully with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020, there has been some external uncertainty as to how his relationship with a first-time defensive coordinator in Sorensen might work.
But asked if he has to manage that relationship, Shanahan insisted there is complete clarity regarding their respective roles and outlined the benefits Staley's presence is already having on the team.
"I’d have to arrange it [how the relationship works] if there’s a problem, but there’s not," said Shanahan.
"Nick knows who the defensive coordinator is, and Brandon does. I have to talk to both of them. I think Brandon is in a real good spot, just leaving from being a head coach and how he can help us in a number of roles.
"I think Nick feels very excited to have a guy on the staff who has called plays, who has done it at a number of different places and things. I think he’s helped him a lot in those ways. But no, there’s no really gray area of it. Brandon is helping him on a lot of things just like all the other coaches do on the defensive staff.
"With Brandon’s expertise just in other areas than just defense, with his expertise as a head coach and things, I thought he was a real benefit in the draft and helps me in a number of areas also.”
After what was, by their extremely high standards, a disappointing defensive effort in 2023, the 49ers will hope a unit stacked with premium talent gets back to its very best with Staley providing a helping hand to a coach in Sorensen who is extremely well versed in the defensive scheme.
Despite Shanahan's best efforts to provide that clarity, the question of Staley's role and him potentially having a larger influence will almost certainly be raised during the season if the defense does not reach the standards the 49ers have come to expect.
Brock Purdy working at San Francisco 49ers OTAs without another of his most important teammates
They’re playing it safe.
