The San Francisco 49ers will have to look for a replacement for one of their most important coaching staff members as they look to greener pastures.
The San Francisco 49ers had a difficult season this year. Finishing 6-11 after an injury-riddled campaign, things must change in the Bay Area soon.
Kyle Shanahan‘s tenure has been called into question after such a disappointing season. But given his historic track record, the 49ers will most likely give him a chance to fix things.
But while Shanahan might be returning next season, he will be without one of his key lieutenants in his coaching staff.
Nick Sorensen leaving as defensive coordinator
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports revealed that Nick Sorensen is set to leave the 49ers as the defensive coordinator. While the 49ers want to retain him, they don’t want him in the same position..
“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.”
The 49ers will get the chance to look for some new defensive coordinator candidates. And given how poorly Sorensen performed during his stint as D.C., the 49ers will be happy to keep him, just not in the same position.
Sorensen underwhelmed as defensive coordinator
Nick Sorensen was part of the defensive coaching staff for quite some time, serving as a defensive assistant under DeMeco Ryans in 2022, and a defensive pass game specialist under Steve Wilks in 2023.
After Wilks was fired for the 49ers’ abysmal defensive performance in the Super Bowl, Sorensen was promoted to the defensive coordinator role. And in all honesty, he was a massive disappointment.
Between 2021 to 2023, the 49ers had a top-10 defense all three years and even finished top five in defense in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
In 2024, under Sorensen, the 49ers finished the season as a top-10 worst defense in the league. Clearly, this role was just too much, too soon for the former safety.
