49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan Makes a Huge Announcement Following, Hiring for both Coordinator Positions. The San Francisco 49ers have interviewed just three candidates for their vacant defensive coordinator role and four for special teams, just weeks before the regular season kicks off. Whether it’s fair or not, the questionable application of the Rooney Rule likely enables the team to eliminate four of these candidates.
“I love Nick as a person, and I love him as a coach,” head coach Kyle Shanahan declared at the conclusion of the season. I’m still holding out hope that we can retain him on board in some other capacity because I don’t want to lose him.
Naturally, he is referring to Nick Sorensen, the 49ers’ new defensive coordinator who was stripped of those responsibilities but will still be employed by the team. It would be simple to promote Sorensen to the position of special teams coordinator because he has a lot of expertise with special teams.
Only one of the other interviewees, Chris Tabor (53), Chris Banjo (34), and Jett Modkins (29), has NFL experience. Sorensen’s appointment as San Francisco’s new special teams coordinator seems inevitable, unless the 49ers were pleased by Tabor.
The 49ers place their cards face up on the table and inform the dealer of their holdings before the dealer concludes dealing if they have tipped their hand for their prospective special team coordinator.
Interviews were conducted with Detroit Lions player Deshea Townsend and Brandon Staley. Both Robert Saleh’s and Townsend’s interviews were conducted virtually. Interviews with Rooney Rule are typically conducted in this manner.
Saleh’s interview probably lasted five minutes. Shanahan questioned him about the requirements and whether he desired the job. After outlining the requirements, Saleh informed Shanahan that he was still interviewing for head coaching positions and that they would meet again in a month.
Matt Barrows of The Athletic claims that the 49ers are willing to pay Saleh the highest salary in the league and are content to wait for him:
Really, it’s Robert Saleh or bust. since, up until now, they haven’t worked with anyone else very much. Saleh has reportedly already been informed that “if you sign with us, we will make you the highest paid defensive coordinator in the entire country.” The only thing left to do is wait for Saleh.
49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan Makes a Huge Announcement Following, Hiring for both Coordinator Positions.
Saleh might be tired of all the responsibilities and problems that come with being a head coach after his time in New York. However, given how well his Jets defenses performed, Saleh is still a strong contender for one of the most sought-after positions in sports.
The 49ers appear to be banking that other teams will sign a young, promising offensive player, so Saleh is open for them to sign. It’s dangerous to know that Staley is the Niners’ lone backup. However, Shanahan is clearly prepared to take that chance.
