49ers Make Major Coaching Changes After Hiring Robert Saleh

The San Francisco 49ers are starting to craft their 2025 coaching staff. According to The Athletic’s Mike Silver, after a whirlwind of reports yesterday, the team is expected to hire Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator. Saleh’s return to San Francisco delights fans and staff alike. He was their number-one choice throughout the offseason. Head coach Kyle Shanahan was locked in on Saleh the moment the team decided to clean house.

Saleh is anticipated to take on a head coaching style role but on defense. With that in mind, he is putting together his coaching staff in San Francisco. As he brings in his own assistant coaches, the 49ers are forced to say goodbye to part of their current staff.

49ers Making Surprising Coaching Changes

San Francisco already fired special teams coordinator Brian Schneider shortly after Week 18. The team then interviewed multiple replacements but was leaning towards retaining former defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen in the role.

However, with news of Saleh’s return, that is no longer the plan.

According to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco, the 49ers will not name Sorensen as special teams coordinator, and he is not expected to remain with the team.

Sorensen has been a part of the 49ers’ coaching staff since 2022. Initially hired as a defensive assistant, Sorensen quickly took a pivotal role with the team. Leading the “attack the ball” drills, he helped San Francisco snag a league-leading 65 takeaways from 2022 to 2023.