Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen and special teams coordinator Brian Schneider paid the price for a 6-11 season for the San Francisco 49ers as they were relieved of their duties, but there was some good news for one assistant.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed another change to his staff in Wednesday’s end-of-season press conference, albeit just a titular one.

Klay Kubiak, who served as offensive passing game specialist in 2024, is now the offensive coordinator.

Kubiak will not take over play-calling duties from Shanahan. Still the upgrade in title comes after a year in which Shanahan allowed Kubiak some opportunities to do just that, giving him play-calling duties in preseason games but also in the 49ers’ Week 18 game with the Arizona Cardinals.

"I thought he did an awesome job and Klay’s role is going to be the same as it’s been which has been the offensive coordinator," said Shanahan. "He just hasn’t had that title yet. 

"I mean, Klay has done as much as anyone on offense for these last two years. So, this was his second year doing that and he gets better and better each year at it. He just hasn’t had the official title yet. And now he’ll get the official title, which he more than deserves, but it’s more about recognizing what he’s already been doing and doing at a high level.

"I’ll continue to call plays, but Klay and I have done everything here the last two years together kind of hand in hand. We put the game plan in together. Yeah, I call it, only one person can speak to the quarterback, but I mean him, [run game coordinator/offensive line coach Chris] Foerster, [tight ends coach Brian] Fleury, those are the guys I rely on through play calling throughout the game. 

"It’s not like I’m just in silence there calling every play. I’m discussing it with the guys we’ve prepared with in the week, discussing it with the guys who are talking with their players and what they see. And that’s the same thing we all did for Klay versus Arizona."

It marks the first time since 2021 that the 49ers have had an official offensive coordinator, the last being Mike McDaniel, who was hired as Miami Dolphins head coach in 2022.

While the change won’t impact the play-calling process, the move is significant in that Kubiak’s promotion means the 49ers can block teams from interviewing him for their coordinator position should they wish to do so in the coming years. Kubiak’s brother Klint was hired as the New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator last offseason having worked as the 49ers’ passing game coordinator in 2023.

Given the attention Shanahan assistants have received over the years, that is a smart call on the 49ers' part, preventing Kubiak from being lured away for a lateral move — unless they give their blessing — while rewarding him for what they clearly see as progress made by a bright young coach.

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