49ers defensive coordinator candidates: 5 coaches who could replace Robert Saleh after he took the Titans head coaching job
There are plenty of notable candidates for San Francisco to hire as their next defensive coordinator.
The San Francisco must now find a new defensive coordinator. Robert Saleh is off to the Music City to be the next Tennessee Titans head coach. Accordingly, the 49ers defense needs a new leader.
Their options are not limited, as we are just now seeing head coaching openings get filled around the NFL. A plethora of impressive DC candidates remain a possibility, so let’s take a look at a handful here.
5 49ers defensive coordinator candidates to be Robert Saleh’s successor
Raheem Morris
Morris is fresh off of a tenure as the Atlanta Falcons head coach. While that didn’t work out quite as well as many hoped there, he remains a top-flight defensive mind with tons of experience. His work with the Los Angeles Rams defense landed him the job in Atlanta, and we still see plenty of his impact in LA with a young er coaching staff leading their defense.
Kyle Shanahan coached with Morris on the Washington coaching staff in 2012 and 2013 as well as Atlanta’s staff in 2015-16.
Daniel Bullocks
The current defensive backs coach for SF will almost assuredly get a chance to prove himself as a worthy candidate for the promotion. Bullocks is 42 years old and holds an extensive work history with Shanahan. He’s been one of the few true consistents with the head coach of the 49ers.
Players have grown incredibly fond of Bullocks over the years, and he has a ton of respect inside that building. I would be surprised if he doesn’t get a fair look at claiming the job, rather than pulling in someone from the outside to replace Saleh.
Daronte Jones
Jones is amongst the most exciting options for a DC around the NFL. He is looked at as the potential long-term replacement to Brian Flores in Minnesota, if the former lands another HC job elsewhere. Jones has been a part of elite units with the Vikings, usually ones without top-end talent at each level. He and his staff there have gotten the most out of their players constantly.
For the 49ers, this would be another energetic leader and play caller, with everything to prove, for the defensive unit.
Christian Parker
Parker has been a popular interview candidate for DC openings around the NFL this offseason. He’s gotten looks from the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys already, and more could be in sight.
With Parker in the fold with the Eagles, they have seen their secondary blossom. He has a long history of helping develop young cornerbacks, guys like Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Patrick Surtain II, and even Jaire Alexander early in his career. The resumé is rather proven for Parker, and Philadelphia would love to keep him on their staff. SF could be the perfect opportunity to move on, though.
Jim Schwartz
Schwartz’s situation with the Cleveland Browns is a fluid one. He interviewed for their vacant head coaching position, but it remains to be seen who wins out for that job. If it isn’t him, he could look to join a new staff – or he may not be retained by the new staff. Schwartz is one of the most well-respected, veteran coaching minds of the defensive side of the football in the entire league.
His defenses in Cleveland have consistently produced at the top of the conference, even with a usual lack of offensive output to support them. He should be on the 49ers radar, depending on how Cleveland’s HC search finalizes.
Which one of these makes the most sense for the 49ers? Let us know what you think on social media.
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