49ers Defensive Coordinator Sorensen Will Not Return Next Season
Nick Sorensen is out as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, but the team hopes to keep him in another role.
Nick Sorensen, 49ers, NFL, Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco, USA
San Francisco: So, it looks like Nick Sorensen won’t be back as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator. A source shared this news with NBC Sports Bay Area on Tuesday night. But here’s the twist: Coach Kyle Shanahan is still hoping to keep him on the staff in some capacity.
Last year, Sorensen stepped up as the defensive coordinator after Steve Wilks was let go. Unfortunately, the 49ers had a rough season, finishing with a 6-11 record, which put them at the bottom of the NFC West. They were aiming for a deep playoff run but fell short.
Now, the team is on the lookout for a new defensive coordinator. They’ve got plenty of options since Sorensen’s unit struggled, especially in the last two games where they allowed a whopping 87 points. That’s not what you want to see!
Shanahan had previously backed Sorensen, saying he did a good job adjusting to tough situations. But after those last games, it seems his confidence took a hit. Sorensen faced a tough season, missing key players like Javon Hargrave and Dre Greenlaw, which didn’t help matters.
Interestingly, the defense that once prided itself on being tough against the run allowed over 140 rushing yards in each of the last four games. They also dropped from 28 takeaways last season to just 17 this year, which is pretty disappointing.
After the season-ending loss to the Cardinals, linebacker Fred Warner pointed out that the blame shouldn’t fall solely on Sorensen. He emphasized that it’s a team effort. Meanwhile, Nick Bosa, who had a quieter season with just nine sacks, said Sorensen is a good coach but left the decision to others.
Looking ahead, Shanahan has some familiar faces in mind for the defensive coordinator role. Former 49ers linebacker Jeff Ulbrich and Robert Saleh, who used to hold the same position, are both potential candidates. Plus, the Colts just parted ways with Gus Bradley, who was on Shanahan’s radar before Sorensen got the job.
Interestingly, the 49ers also let go of their special teams coordinator, Brian Schneider. If Sorensen sticks around, he might even step into that role since he has experience in special teams coaching.
Shanahan and GM John Lynch are set to address the media later this week to explain their decisions. It’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out!