49ers interview tracker: Keeping up to date with San Francisco's search to fill all three coordinator spots
The San Francisco 49ers are officially searching to fill all three of their coordinator spots this offseason following their disappointing 2024 season. While the identity of one of their coordinators for 2025 is already known, head coach Kyle Shanahan is still working to fill that position on defense and on special teams, and satisfy league […]
The San Francisco 49ers are officially searching to fill all three of their coordinator spots this offseason following their disappointing 2024 season.
While the identity of one of their coordinators for 2025 is already known, head coach Kyle Shanahan is still working to fill that position on defense and on special teams, and satisfy league rules regarding the 49ers' offensive coordinator spot.
It appears we're still some way from learning who will be leading the defense and special teams in 2025 following the decision to relieve Nick Sorensen and Brian Schneider of their respective duties. The 49ers would like Sorensen to stay on staff and he could perhaps step in as Schneider's replacement on special teams, though no interview with him has been confirmed yet.
As the search to fill those vacancies intensifies, we'll keep track of all the confirmed interviewees for hires Shanahan cannot afford to get wrong.
Defensive coordinator
Robert Saleh: The 49ers' defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020 is seen as the frontrunner to return for a second stint following his firing by the New York Jets in October. Saleh has interviewed for the head coach job with the Jacksonville Jaguars and has another interview scheduled with the Las Vegas Raiders.
DeShea Townsend: If the Niners are looking to embrace more man coverage and a greater reliance on pressure looks, then Townsend might be their man. Currently the defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Detroit Lions, the 49ers may have to wait some time if they wish to hire Townsend.
Brandon Staley: While an interview has not been confirmed, Shanahan said Staley would be given a shot after serving as assistant head coach/defense for the 49ers in 2024. However, after playing a role in the defense's decline under Sorensen, it seems unlikely the former Los Angeles Chargers head coach will reprise a position he last held with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.
Special Teams coordinator
Jett Modkins: The son of Curtis Modkins, the 49ers offensive coordinator in 2016. Modkins, in his role as assistant special teams coordinator for the Lions, has helped Detroit become the best in the league in that aspect of the game. The 49ers would again face the prospect of a wait, but there's a strong chance it would be worth it.
Chris Banjo: A member of the Arizona Cardinals' roster as recently as 2022, Banjo has enjoyed a rapid ascent in the coaching ranks and is extremely highly thought of following his first two seasons as a special teams assistant for the Denver Broncos, who ranked fourth in special teams DVOA this season.
Chris Tabor: Most recently the interim coach for the Carolina Panthers in 2023, Tabor has served as special teams coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears and for Carolina. An acolyte of Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub from his time in Chicago, Tabor has a pedigree that should be appealing to the Niners.
Offensive coordinator
Klay Kubiak: While the 49ers haven't officially confirmed an interview for Kubiak, it is widely known he will be promoted to offensive coordinator, without play-calling duties, after Shanahan said as much the Niners' end-of-season press conference. The 49ers can't make that move without an open search. Once that formality is completed, he will be the 49ers' first offensive coordinator since Mike McDaniel in 2021.
Noah Pauley: As part of that search, the 49ers confirmed an interview with Pauley, a fast-rising young college coach, who is the passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach for Iowa State. Pauley joined the Cyclones in 2022, meaning he had no crossover with 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, though he was on the North Dakota State staff during Trey Lance's time with Bison.
