Nick Sorensen

Cowboys To Hire Nick Sorensen As ST Coordinator

The Cowboys have their new head coach in place, and their coordinator vacancies are filling up in short order. Matt Eberflus remains on track to take over Dallas’ defense, while a new special teams hire is on tap.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports the Cowboys are finalizing a deal with Eberflus to take on DC responsibilities as expected. He adds that Nick Sorensen is also nearing a deal to become the team’s new ST coordinator. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network was the first to report the latter hire was expected.

Sorensen had a 10-year playing career in the NFL and he quickly transitioned to coaching after it ended in 2010. He had an eight-year tenure with the Seahawks as an assistant special teams staffer and, later a defensive backs coach. His third phase experience landed him the Jaguars’ special teams coordinator gig in 2021, although that only lasted one season. Sorensen was not retained when Jacksonville hired Doug Pederson, and he moved on to San Francisco as a result.

The 46-year-old joined the 49ers’ staff as a defensive assistant in 2022, but he took on larger responsibilities the following season. After Steve Wilks became a one-and-done DC, Kyle Shanahan elected to go internal with his next hire. Sorensen took charge of the team’s defense for 2024, although his unit did not meet expectations as part of a generally forgettable campaign. Shanahan gave him something of a vote of confidence toward the end of the season, but in short order it became clear he would not retain his D-coordinator duties for 2025.

The door remained open at that point to Sorensen taking over San Francisco’s special teams, but it was announced yesterday that Brant Boyer will be doing so. Instead of taking a lesser role somewhere on Shanahan’s staff, Sorensen was left in need of a new opportunity. It has presented itself rather quickly.

John Fassel had been in place with the Cowboys since 2020. His tenure running Dallas’ special teams represented an improvement from where the unit had been previously, but Fassel recently joined the Titans as their ST coordinator. To replace him, head coach Brian Schottenheimer has brought in a familiar face since he and Sorensen worked together in Jacksonville as well as Seattle. Now, attention will turn to the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator vacancy.

49ers Hire Brant Boyer As ST Coordinator

Brant Boyer has found his next NFL opportunity. The veteran coach is set to take charge of the 49ers’ special teams in 2025.

San Francisco announced Boyer’s hire on Monday. The 53-year-old had spent the past nine years as the Jets’ special teams coordinator, overseeing a unit which has seen a wide range of performances. He recently interviewed with the 49ers, as noted by Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.

New York saw Boyer’s unit deliver performances as low as 30th in the NFL in EPA on special teams but also as high as first (h/t ESPN’s Nick Wagoner). The 49ers have long struggled to find third phase consistency, and that will be the goal moving forward as Boyer replaces Brian Schneider. Notably, Maiocco’s report adds that Nick Sorensen is not expected to remain with the team.

Sorensen worked as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator in 2024 after taking over from Steve Wilks. Head coach Kyle Shanahan elected to look internally after Wilks’ one-and-done campaign. It became clear after the season that Sorensen would not remain as the 49ers’ DC, but at that point the possibility remained he could stay on in another role. Especially with the ST coordinator position now filled, it appears he will need to look elsewhere for his next gig.

After briefly working with the Browns and Giants, Boyer served as an assistant special teams coach for the Colts. From 2012-15, he played a key role in Indianapolis’ third phase success, leading to his first coordinator opportunity. It will be interesting to see how his second plays out.

2025 NFL Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker

Last year, half the league changed up at offensive and defensive coordinator. As most HC-needy teams have now filled their open positions, the coordinator carousel has accelerated. Here is how the market looks now. When other teams make changes, they will be added to the list.

Updated 2-21-25 (1:59pm CT)

Offensive coordinators

Chicago Bears (Out: Chris Beatty)

Cleveland Browns (Out: Ken Dorsey)

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Brian Schottenheimer)

Detroit Lions (Out: Ben Johnson)

  • John Morton, pass-game coordinator (Broncos): Hired

Houston Texans (Out: Bobby Slowik)

Jacksonville Jaguars (Out: Press Taylor)

Las Vegas Raiders 

New England Patriots (Out: Alex Van Pelt)

New Orleans Saints (Out: Klint Kubiak)

New York Jets (Out: Nathaniel Hackett)

Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Kellen Moore)

  • Kevin Patullo, pass-game coordinator (Eagles): Promoted

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks (Out: Ryan Grubb)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Liam Coen)

Defensive coordinators

Atlanta Falcons (Out: Jimmy Lake)

Chicago Bears (Out: Eric Washington)

Cincinnati Bengals (Out: Lou Anarumo)

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Mike Zimmer)

Detroit Lions (Out: Aaron Glenn)

  • Larry Foote, inside linebackers coach (Buccaneers): Interviewed
  • Kelvin Sheppard, linebackers coach (Lions): Promoted

Indianapolis Colts (Out: Gus Bradley)

Jacksonville Jaguars (Out: Ryan Nielsen)

  • Anthony Campanile, linebackers coach/running game coordinator (Packers): Hired
  • Jonathan Cooley, pass-game coordinator (Panthers): Interview requested
  • Patrick Graham, former defensive coordinator (Raiders): Interviewed 1/27
  • Daronte Jones, defensive pass-game coordinator (Vikings): Interviewed 1/27
  • Aubrey Pleasant, defensive pass-game coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/28

Las Vegas Raiders 

New England Patriots (Out: DeMarcus Covington)

  • Ryan Crow, outside linebackers coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/21
  • Terrell Williams, defensive line coach (Lions): Hired

New Orleans Saints (Out: Joe Woods)

New York Jets (Out: Jeff Ulbrich)

  • Chris Harris, former defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator (Titans): Interviewed 1/29
  • Steve Wilks, former defensive coordinator (49ers): To be hired

San Francisco 49ers (Out: Nick Sorensen)

49ers Seeking New OC; Shanahan Still Calling Plays

JANUARY 10: NFL rules will not permit the 49ers to promote passing game specialist Klint Kubiak to offensive coordinator, per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. Since the position was previously closed, San Francisco will have to conduct an open search process. Shanahan previously said that Kubiak has been the 49ers’ de facto OC for the last two years, but that will not allow the team to skirt league rules regarding hire processes.

Kubiak will certainly be the team’s top candidate for the job, but they will have to interview outside candidates in the coming weeks. That will have to include at least two minority candidates in accordance with the NFL’s Rooney Rule.

JANUARY 8: The 49ers are planning to promote Klay Kubiak to offensive coordinator, per NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco, though head coach Kyle Shanahan said that he will retain play-calling duties.

Kubiak, who was the offensive passing game specialist in 2024, will become the 49ers’ first coach since Mike McDaniel to hold the title.

There could be several reasons for Kubiak’s promotion. The title bump, which likely comes with a pay increase, may be an attempt to keep Kubiak from considering offensive coordinator jobs with other teams. Despite a myriad of injuries, the 49ers still finished with the fourth-most passing yards in the league this year, despite ranking 22nd in total passing attempts.

The 49ers could be trying to help their young coach’s career. A year of OC experience could increase Kubiak’s chances of drawing head coaching interest in next year’s hiring cycle. McDaniel was San Francisco’s offensive coordinator during the 2021 season before he was hired as the head coach in Miami.

Shanahan could also want to spend more time with the defense after falling to 29th in points allowed this season after three straight finishes in the top 10. He mentioned Brandon Staley – currently the 49ers’ assistant head coach – as an option to replace defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, per the Bay Area News Group’s Cam Inman. Sorensen will not have a second year as DC, but could return to the team as special teams coordinator.

Since the 49ers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020, they will have more time to interview coaching candidates in the coming weeks.

Nick Sorensen Won’t Return As 49ers Defensive Coordinator

The 49ers will be seeking their fourth defensive coordinator in four years. Nick Sorensen won’t return as the 49ers defensive coordinator in 2025, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.

However, Sorensen’s stint in San Francisco may not be over. Maiocco adds that the 49ers are hoping they can keep the coach on Kyle Shanahan’s staff for next season. One option could be special teams coordinator, as Matt Barrows of The Athletic notes. The 49ers fired ST coordinator Brian Schneider the other day, and Sorensen served in that role during his time with the Jaguars.

After ranking third in points allowed in 2023, the 49ers dropped to 29th during Sorenson’s first season at the helm. The defense also struggled to generate turnovers, with Cam Inman of the Mercury News noting that the team had zero interceptions over their final seven games and only one fumble recovery over their final 11 games.

There was hope that Sorenson would help guide the 49ers to a new level after the team fired Steve Wilks last offseason. The former NFL journeyman moved quickly through the coaching ranks in San Francisco, where he worked his way up from a defensive assistant to defensive pass game specialist to defensive coordinator in three seasons. In addition to his one-year stint as Jaguars ST coordinator, Sorenson also had experience coaching defense with the Seahawks, where he served as the team’s secondary coach during the final seasons of the Legion of Boom era.

While the 49ers dealt with a long list of injuries, the team clearly wasn’t willing to tolerate the clear regression from the defense in 2024. Now, the organization will be seeking their fourth defensive coordinator in four seasons. Prior to Wilks one-year stint as defensive coordinator, DeMeco Ryans spent two years in the role before becoming head coach of the Texans.

Ryans’ predecessor, Robert Saleh, could be a candidate to take over for Sorenson, as Inman notes. Saleh spent four years as San Francisco’s defensive coach before leaving to become the Jets head coach in 2021. He was canned by the Jets earlier this season before catching on as a consultant in Green Bay, and he’s already emerged as a candidate for the Jaguars head coaching vacancy. It’s more likely that Saleh’s return to coaching will require a stop as coordinator, and a familiar spot in San Francisco could be his softest-possible landing.

Inman also points to Jeff Ulbrich and Gus Bradley as potential candidates for the 49ers new DC opening. Ulbrich most recently served as Saleh’s interim replacement in New York, and that was preceded by a three-plus-year stint as the Jets DC. The veteran coach crossed paths with Shanahan in Atlanta, and he spent his entire 10-year playing career in San Francisco.

Bradley and Shanahan have never worked alongside each other, but the veteran coach brings plenty of experience. Bradley most recently served as the Colts defensive coordinator, a role he held for three seasons before getting dismissed yesterday. Bradley also held DC roles with the Raiders, Chargers, and Seahawks, and he had a four-year stint as head coach with the Jaguars.

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan Addresses DC Nick Sorensen’s Performance

Not long after their Super Bowl loss, the 49ers moved on from defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. That decision came as little surprise given the perceived friction between he and head coach Kyle Shanahan, and the latter’s search for a replacement was a key element of San Francisco’s offseason.

The team looked into a number of candidates but ultimately elected to promote Nick Sorensen to the role. The 46-year-old has been an NFL staffer since 2013, but this season has been his first at the coordinator level. San Francisco’s defense – a unit which, much like the the team’s offense, has been hit hard by injuries – has struggled in several categories despite ranking second in yards allowed per game. While Shanahan stopped short of confirming Sorensen will be back in 2025, his comments certainly suggest that will be the case.

“I think Nick has done a good job as a coach,” Shanahan said (via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle). “No one’s happy with our results by any means. I think he’s been thrown in a number of situations that I think will make him better going forward. I’ve watched him adjust to a bunch of different situations.”

Entering Monday night’s action, the 49ers sit 19th in the league in points allowed per game and 29th in red zone defense. Those figures represent a notable step back from last year, and changes could be coming at a number of positions this offseason as the team faces several notable pending free agents. That list includes safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw, both of whom are targets for new contracts. It remains to be seen if one or both will be affordable given San Francisco’s other financial priorities, though.

The 49ers met with several outside candidates for the DC role last offseason, one of whom was Brandon Staley. The former Chargers head coach has experience as a defensive coordinator at the NFL level (2020 with the Rams), and especially after one season working under Shanahan as an assistant head coach he could be a candidate to take charge of the defense if Sorensen were to be dismissed. A strong showing to close out the season (including tonight’s matchup with the high-flying Lions) would help Sorensen’s case for being retained, however.

As Branch notes, Sorensen’s background with Shanahan’s preferred defensive scheme could help his cause to remain in place for 2025. Expectations will be high for a step forward on that side of the ball next year, and it will be interesting to see if the team prefers continuity on the sidelines or opts for changes once again in the winter.

Latest On 49ers Coaching Staff

The 49ers found their replacement for Steve Wilks this past weekend when they promoted defensive passing game specialist Nick Sorensen to defensive coordinator. While Sorensen has had a rapid rise through the organization in recent years, his ascent to DC could have happened even sooner.

[RELATED: 49ers Promote Nick Sorensen To DC, Add Brandon Staley To Staff]

According to Albert Breer of SI.com, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was so impressed by Sorensen’s first season in San Francisco that he considered promoting the coach to DC last offseason. Shanahan ultimately believed that Sorensen needed a bit more time to develop, leading the 49ers to hire Wilks as their replacement for DeMeco Ryans.

The 49ers have also brought in Brandon Staley for some experience on their defensive coaching staff. Breer passes along that the former Chargers head coach will serve as the 49ers new assistant head coach, confirming earlier reports.

One name that wasn’t a reported candidate for the job was Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. However, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports that “there was mutual interest in exploring a marriage,” with Ulbrich presumably being recruited to be the team’s new DC. Ultimately, the Jets made it clear that they weren’t going to let their coordinator take a lateral job elsewhere, and the 49ers never requested a formal request for an interview.

Ulbrich would have been a natural candidate for the job considering his connects to San Francisco. He grew up in the Bay Area and played 10 seasons for the 49ers organization. Further, as Rosenblatt notes, Ulbrich aspires to be a head coach one day, and two of San Francisco’s last three DCs ultimately earned head coaching jobs.

With Sorensen now in place as defensive coordinator, he’s starting to add to his staff. The team did add one notable name this week, with K.J. Wright announcing that he’s joining the 49ers as an assistant linebackers coach (via Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times). Wright, of course, spent a decade with the 49ers’ division rivals in Seattle, with the linebacker ranking third in Seahawks history in tackles.

Wright and Sorensen previously worked alongside each other with the Seahawks, as the coach spent close to a decade on Pete Carroll‘s staff. According to Michael-Shawn Dugar and David Lombardi of The Athletic, Wright also interviewed for a position on Mike Macdonald’s new Seahawks staff, but the organization ultimately decided to go in a different direction.

49ers Promote Nick Sorensen To DC, Add Brandon Staley To Staff

After eyeing five candidates for their open defensive coordinator job, the 49ers have landed on an in-house option. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 49ers are promoting defensive passing game specialist Nick Sorensen to defensive coordinator. The 49ers are also hiring another DC candidate, Brandon Staley, for a “prominent staff role,” according to Schefter. That could include the role of assistant head coach.

Following a 10-year playing career, Sorensen transitioned to coaching in 2013. He spent close to a decade on the Seahawks staff, initially working as an assistant special teams coach before moving to the defensive side of the ball, where he served as the team’s secondary coach for four years.

The Jaguars hired him as their special teams coordinator in 2021, but he only lasted a season in Jacksonville before joining the 49ers as a defensive assistant in 2022. It took him one year to earn a promotion to defensive pass game coordinator/nickels coach.

While the 49ers cast a relatively wide net to replace Steve Wilks, the organization hinted that they were valuing continuity in their search. The 49ers also interviewed defensive backs coach Daniel Bullocks for the role, and Schefter notes that the organization didn’t want to “stray far from what it has done defensively for the past seven years.” In fact, Schefter adds that part of the reason why Wilks was fired was because of his inability to “adapt to the defensive scheme” of former 49ers squads led by Robert Saleh and DeMeco Ryans.

While Sorensen has only been on the staff for two seasons, he does possess familiarity with the team’s scheme. Pete Carroll ran a similar defense in Seattle, and Schefter notes that Sorensen’s experience was “perhaps most valuable” in his promotion.

Staley was fired by the Chargers back in December following two-plus seasons with the organization. He finished his head coaching stint with a 24-24 record, including a single one-and-done playoff appearance. Prior to his stint with the Chargers, Staley served as the defensive coordinator with the Rams in 2020. He also previously served as linebackers coach for the Broncos and Bears.

While Staley’s defensive scheme differs from the 49ers’ scheme, GM John Lynch said that wouldn’t prevent the coach from joining the staff.

“He’s a really bright dude,” Lynch said (via Schefter). “We have an open mind, but we do know there’s certain core principles that we’re going to always be on the defensive side. … I wouldn’t rule him out because of that.”

Staley is expected to be the team’s new assistant head coach, a role previously held by Anthony Lynn (who, ironically, was also a former Chargers HC). After spending the past two seasons in San Francisco, Lynn joined Dan Quinn‘s new Commanders staff as their run game coordinator/running backs coach.

49ers Complete DC Interviews With Brandon Staley, Nick Sorensen

In the wake of the team’s Super Bowl loss, 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks was dismissed. That has created the lone coordinator vacancy remaining in the NFL’s coaching cycle, but the process of filling it is underway.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan informed NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco that a pair of DC interviews have already taken place. Those initial meetings have been with former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, as well as 49ers defensive passing game specialist Nick Sorensen. Another internal option – defensive backs coach Daniel Bullocks – will likely interview for the position later this week, per Shanahan.

Staley saw his time at the helm of the Chargers come to an end midway through the 2023 campaign. His first HC opportunity did not go according to plan, but his reputation dating back to his time as a position coach and coordinator earned him multiple DC interviews. Staley spoke with the Packers, Rams and Dolphins about their respective vacancies. The San Francisco gig represents the 41-year-old’s final opportunity to land an NFL coordinator position in 2024.

Failing that, Staley could find a role as a position coach on an NFL staff, or he could take on a position in the NCAA ranks (having most recently coached in college during the 2016 campaign). Of course, the former Rams DC could spend a year off the sidelines altogether in a bid to return during the 2025 hiring cycle. San Francisco will also consider in-house options, though.

Sorenson transitioned from playing to coaching over one decade ago, taking his first opportunity with the Seahawks in 2013. He has primarily worked on the defensive side of the ball since then, though his background on special teams landed him the ST coordinator gig with the Jaguars in 2021. After a single season in Jacksonville, the 45-year-old joined the 49ers’ staff. The 2023 campaign was his first in his current capacity.

Bollocks has been in San Francisco since Shanahan’s arrival in 2017. He spent a pair of season as an assistant working with the team’s defensive backs before being promoted to the lead role. After bringing in Wilks from outside the organization, the 49ers could elect to stay in-house with his next hire by promoting one of Bollocks or Sorenson.

Shanahan added that at least two other external candidates are expected to be interviewed in the coming days, though. In all, two minority candidates must be considered to satisfy the Rooney Rule. The 49ers do not have any NFL competition for their DC vacancy, but a decision could be coming soon as the interview process continues.

2024 Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker

After a crowded carousel previously stopped, the 49ers opened their defensive coordinator position. Here is how the NFC champions’ search looks:

Updated 3-2-24 (10:00am CT)

Offensive Coordinators

Atlanta Falcons (Out: Dave Ragone)

Buffalo Bills (Out: Ken Dorsey)

  • Joe Brady, interim offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach (Bills): Hired
  • Thad Lewis, quarterbacks coach (Buccaneers): Interviewed

Carolina Panthers (Out: Thomas Brown)

  • Marcus Brady, senior offensive assistant (Eagles): Interview requested
  • Brad Idzik, wide receivers coach (Buccaneers): Hired

Chicago Bears (Out: Luke Getsy)

Cincinnati Bengals (Out: Brian Callahan)

  • Andy Dickerson, offensive line coach (Seahawks): To interview
  • Dan Pitcher, quarterbacks coach (Bengals): Promoted

Cleveland Browns (Out: Alex Van Pelt)

Las Vegas Raiders (Out: Mick Lombardi)

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Kellen Moore)

New England Patriots (Out: Bill O’Brien)

New Orleans Saints (Out: Pete Carmichael)

Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Brian Johnson)

  • Jerrod Johnson, quarterbacks coach (Texans): Interviewed
  • Kliff Kingsbury, senior offensive analyst (USC): Interviewed 1/23
  • Kellen Moore, offensive coordinator (Chargers): Hired

Pittsburgh Steelers (Out: Matt Canada)

Seattle Seahawks (Out: Shane Waldron)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Dave Canales)

Tennessee Titans (Out: Tim Kelly)

  • Nick Holz, passing game coordinator (Jaguars): Hired
  • Thad Lewis, quarterbacks coach (Buccaneers): Interviewed
  • Eric Studesville, associate head coach/running backs coach (Dolphins): Interview requested

Washington Commanders (Out: Eric Bieniemy)

  • Chip Kelly, former head coach (Eagles/49ers): On team’s radar
  • Kliff Kingsbury, senior offensive analyst (USC): Hired

Defensive Coordinators

Atlanta Falcons (Out: Ryan Nielsen)

Baltimore Ravens (Out: Mike Macdonald)

  • Zach Orr, inside linebackers coach (Ravens): Promoted

Buffalo Bills

  • Bobby Babich, linebackers coach (Bills): Promoted
  • Mike Caldwell, former defensive coordinator (Jaguars): Interviewed
  • Sean Desai, former defensive coordinator (Eagles): To interview

Chicago Bears (Out: Alan Williams)

  • Joe Barry, former defensive coordinator (Packers): To interview 1/27
  • Chris Harris, secondary coach (Titans): To interview
  • Eric Washington, assistant head coach/defensive line coach (Bills): Hired
  • Terrell Williams, assistant head coach/defensive line coach (Titans): To interview

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Dan Quinn)

Green Bay Packers (Out: Joe Barry)

Jacksonville Jaguars (Out: Mike Caldwell)

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Derrick Ansley)

  • Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Michigan): Hired

Los Angeles Rams (Out: Raheem Morris)

Miami Dolphins (Out: Vic Fangio)

New England Patriots

  • DeMarcus Covington, defensive line coach (Patriots): Promoted
  • Michael Hodges, linebackers coach (Saints): To interview
  • Tem Lukabu, outside linebackers coach (Panthers): To interview
  • Christian Parker, defensive backs coach (Broncos): Interviewed

New York Giants (Out: Don Martindale)

Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Sean Desai)

  • Mike Caldwell, former defensive coordinator (Jaguars): Interviewed
  • Vic Fangio, former defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Hired
  • Ron Rivera, former head coach (Commanders): Interviewed 1/22

San Francisco 49ers (Out: Steve Wilks)

  • Gerald Alexander, safeties coach (Raiders): Interviewed 3/1
  • Daniel Bullocks, defensive backs coach (49ers): Interviewed 2/28
  • David Merritt, defensive backs coach (Chiefs): To interview
  • Nick Sorensen, defensive passing game specialist (49ers): Promoted
  • Brandon Staley, former head coach (Chargers): Interviewed

Seattle Seahawks (Out: Clint Hurtt)

Tennessee Titans (Out: Shane Bowen)

  • Brandon Lynch, cornerbacks coach (Browns): Interviewed 1/30
  • Dennard Wilson, defensive backs coach (Ravens): Hired

Washington Commanders (Out: Jack Del Rio)

  • Joe Cullen, defensive line coach (Chiefs): Considered a candidate
  • Joe Whitt, defensive backs coach (Cowboys): Hired