49ers’ Kyle Shanahan in search of his fourth defensive coordinator in as many years
While the Los Angeles Rams prepare to host the Minnesota Vikings for a wildcard playoff game on Monday night, the rest of the NFC West is turning to the offseason and shuffling coaching staffs.
San Francisco 49ers head coach, Kyle Shanahan, reportedly fired two coordinators ahead of the 2025 offseason. Special teams coordinator Brian Schneider is on his way out as well as first-year defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen. The report indicates that the 49ers hope to retain Sorensen on the staff as they look for a new lead on defense.
Nick Sorensen will not return as 49ers defensive coordinator, a league source said. The hope is that the 49ers can retain him on Kyle Shanahan’s staff. There are a few attractive options for the 49ers to now consider for the D.C. role.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) January 8, 2025
Shanahan will now search for his fourth defensive coordinator in as many years. DeMeco Ryans held this post in 2022 before earning taking up the mantle of head coach for the Houston Texans. Steve Wilks, like Sorensen, lasted just a single season in 2023 before getting the boot.
Seahawks also making a key change
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald has elected to move on from offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. Grubb was a splash hire last offseason from the University of Washington after the team made the College Football Playoff National Championship and finished as the runner up to Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan.
Seahawks fired offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb after one season, per sources. pic.twitter.com/0sOSrbRjUy
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 6, 2025
Similar to the 49ers defensive coaching staff, offensive coordinator has become somewhat of a revolving door for Seattle. Shane Waldron coached under Pete Carroll for two seasons before moving over to the Chicago Bears—where his tenure was short-lived—and now MacDonald will hire the team’s third coordinator in as many seasons.
