49ers adding former Chargers HC to staff

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley. Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

49ers adding former Chargers head coach to staff

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Dan Benton | Last updated 3/2/24

The San Francisco 49ers will stay in-house to fill their vacant defensive coordinator position but will outsource at least one other pivotal role.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler reported that the 49ers intend to name defensive passing game specialist Nick Sorensen as their next DC while bringing in former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley to fill a prominent role on their staff.

Two big hires in San Francisco: the 49ers plan to hire their defensive passing game specialist Nick Sorensen as their new defensive coordinator, and former Chargers HC Brandon Staley for a prominent staff role, possibly assistant head coach, sources tell me and @JFowlerESPN. pic.twitter.com/hbV4ykACkI

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 2, 2024

Although the exact role for Staley is unclear, Schefter suggests he could be given the title of assistant head coach.

Sorensen joined the 49ers in 2022 as a defensive assistant and was promoted to defensive pass game coordinator and nickels coach last year. Before his time in San Francisco, he spent eight seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and one season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he served as their special teams coordinator.

Staley comes to the 49ers after spending the past three seasons as Chargers head coach, where he compiled an overall record of 24-25 (0-1 in the postseason). Los Angeles fired him on Dec. 15 following a demoralizing 63–21 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday Night Football.

Earlier this offseason, the 41-year-old Staley interviewed with the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams for their vacant defensive coordinator positions.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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