Will you be my defensive coordinator? Kyle Shanahan has to ask that question for the third straight year after the San Francisco 49ers parted with Nick Sorensen on Tuesday.
For months it seemed as if Sorensen, well-versed in the Seattle Seahawks-style define Shanahan likes, might retain his job. But the unit faltered down the home stretch, particularly in two areas at which it’s excelled in the past — stopping the run and harassing the quarterback.
Who will be next? Here are nine candidates in alphabetical order — some of them very familiar names to long-time 49ers fans — who could run the defense in 2025:
Daniel Bullocks, defensive passing game specialist/defensive backs
Bullocks interviewed for the position last year and may be in a stronger position this year. Although the 49ers defense struggled overall, especially toward the end of the year, there were success stories among young defensive backs like Renardo Green and Malik Mustapha. Another young player, Deommodore Lenoir, had the best season of his career and was awarded a five-year contract extension.
Patrick Graham, Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator
Shanahan probably won’t want new North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick about being his defensive coordinator like he did last year. But he might be able to snag a long-time Belichick associate in Graham, 45. Graham also worked under Brian Flores, who has clearly gained respect from the 49ers in recent years. Graham’s contract with the Raiders expired after this season.
Patrick Graham has spent the last three years as the Raiders defensive coordinator. (Candice Ward/Getty Images)
Daronte Jones, Minnesota Vikings pass game coordinator
Jones, 46, is interesting because he spent the past two seasons under Vikings defensive coordinator Flores, whose system has vexed Shanahan in the last two meetings. Jones also has some experience as a coordinator — he ran LSU’s defense in 2021. He interviewed last year for the New York Giants defensive coordinator position.
Kris Richard, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive backs coach
Richard’s background in the Seahawks’ defense includes being their defensive coordinator from 2015 to ’17. Richard, 45, has since run the secondaries for the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints and Jaguars.
Mike Siravo, Vikings inside linebackers coach
Siravo, 48, is another well-respected Flores assistant who could get attention during the current hiring cycle. Siravo specializes in run defense, something that became porous for the 49ers as the season wore on. The Vikings finished second in rushing yards allowed this past season.
Robert Saleh, former New York Jets head coach
This might be the most popular hire among fans considering that Saleh ran the 49ers’ 2019 defense, the unit the team has aspired to match ever since. Saleh, 45, has the combination of experience, presence and charisma the team has been lacking over the last two seasons. Some obstacles: 1. Saleh first will interview for at least one head-coaching opening, the one in Jacksonville (the interview is scheduled for Tuesday). 2. The 49ers tinkered with their defense when they added defensive line coach Kris Kocurek in 2019. Saleh may want a spot where he has full autonomy.
Brandon Staley, 49ers assistant head coach/defense
Staley was in charge of the nickelbacks (A-plus) and takeaway meetings (D-minus) during the 2024 season. He hails from an entirely different system than the 49ers prefer, but his year in Santa Clara might have taught him how to bridge the differences and the 49ers may be looking to shake up the system they’ve used for so long. Staley is a disciple of Vic Fangio, who had great success with the Philadelphia Eagles this season, and Shanahan has sought Fangio’s counsel in the past.
Brandon Staley’s year with the 49ers came after three seasons as the Los Angeles Chargers head coach. (Jeff Chiu/Associated Press)
Jason Tarver, Cleveland Browns linebackers coach
Tarver, 50, has three things going for him: 1. He’s spent the last two seasons under Jim Schwartz, who runs a defensive system Shanahan admires. 2. His background is with linebackers, something else Shanahan also likes for his defensive coordinators (See: Saleh and DeMeco Ryans). 3. He’s from the South Bay, having gone to school at Santa Clara University and spending 10 seasons as a 49ers assistant coach.
Jeff Ulbrich, New York Jets interim head coach
This has to be one of the top names on the list considering the 49ers pursued Ulbrich last year but were rebuffed by the Jets. Ulbrich remains under contract in New York and is on a long list of candidates being considered for the permanent head-coaching job. If he doesn’t get it, he’s expected to be released from his contract. Ulbrich, a charismatic former 49ers linebacker, has worked with Shanahan in the past (Atlanta), runs the system Shanahan prefers and has deep ties to the South Bay.
(Top photos of Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich: Thearon W. Henderson and Sarah Stier / Getty Images)
