The San Francisco 49ers will have a fourth defensive coordinator in four seasons.
Since DeMeco Ryans became Texans head coach following the 2022 season, Kyle Shanahan has had two one-and-done defensive coordinators.
While Steve Wilks’ firing was perhaps a little harsh, few will disagree with the recent decision to move on from Nick Sorensen.
In contrast to last year, timing and the market are both hugely in the 49ers’ favour. Wilks was fired after the NFL hiring cycle had been completed, with fewer obvious candidates on the market.
That could not be more different this time around. Here, I will identify six candidates, starting with the glaringly obvious and ending with an unlikely left-field shout.
Robert Saleh
Saleh is the most obvious candidate, having been defensive coordinator under Shanahan from 2017-2020.
Indeed, reports suggest that Saleh will be offered his old job back. Saleh’s defense always played to a high level in New York, and he would be popular with the 49ers’ key defensive players.
One hopes that Shanahan still conducts a thorough search and does not sit around waiting for him. After all, Saleh has head coaching opportunities this cycle as well.
Jeff Ulbrich
Shanahan wanted Ulbrich last year, but Saleh – as Jets head coach – blocked the interview request.
Ulbrich is on the open market this year, and is another who will run the scheme implemented by Saleh in 2017.
He would be another satisfactory and obvious hire.
Gus Bradley
Bradley laid the foundations for the Seahawks’ famous ‘Legion of Boom’ defense that inspires the 49ers’ current scheme.
The Colts recently fired Bradley as defensive coordinator. While he fits the 49ers from a scheme point of view, it is fair to question whether Bradley’s best days as a coordinator are behind him.
Brandon Staley
Historically, Shanahan has always preferred promoting from within.
Staley is the only realistic internal candidate this time around. However, Staley had a prominent – if uncertain – role on the 49ers’ defense this year, and his preferred 3-4 scheme would be too much change for the 49ers.
I think Shanahan should look elsewhere.
Lou Anarumo
This would represent an about-turn in the 49ers’ defensive scheme.
Anarumo’s defense was poor in Cincinnati this season, but has historically played to a high level – including shutting down Patrick Mahomes in the 2021 AFC title game.
If the 49ers do depart from their current scheme, Anarumo appears the outstanding candidate.
Christian Parker
This one will not happen, but Parker is an interesting name.
Parker has coached for over a decade despite being only 33, and coached Philadelphia’s outstanding defensive backs this season.
A future coordinator and potential head coach in the NFL, Parker would be a risky but exciting hire with high upside.
Shanahan and the 49ers need to get this hire right. Saleh is probably the safest and most obvious choice.
Failing that, based on the importance of the hire and the excessive recent turnover at defensive coordinator, Shanahan should look to land an experienced candidate unlikely to become a head coach anytime soon.
Anarumo is a great example of that, while Matt Eberflus and Dennis Allen are two other possibilities.
Who do you see as the best non-Saleh candidates?
