SANTA CLARA, Calif. — After a disappointing season, the San Francisco 49ers have decided to part ways with defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, according to a reliable source close to the situation. This decision has not yet been officially announced.
In light of an underwhelming 6-11 season that saw the team miss the playoffs, the 49ers are implementing substantial changes to their coaching lineup. Additionally, special teams coordinator Brian Schneider has also been let go, as confirmed by the same source, under conditions of anonymity due to the lack of a formal statement.
This move marks the third consecutive offseason where the team has changed its defensive coordinator. The series of changes began after DeMeco Ryans departed following the 2022 season to assume the head coaching position at Houston. Last season, Steve Wilks was brought on board and played a key role in leading the team to the Super Bowl; however, he was dismissed amid concerns that his defensive strategies did not align well with the roster’s capabilities, as stated by head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Following Wilks’ departure, the 49ers elevated Sorensen to defensive coordinator, having previously held a position focused on the secondary and leading weekly discussions on fostering ball security and creating turnovers. However, Sorensen’s tenure did not see the defense return to its earlier form under Ryans. The team’s performance suffered significantly, with a ranking of 29th in the league for scoring defense, conceding an average of 25.6 points per game. Moreover, they were tied for the seventh fewest takeaways with just 17, managing only two in the last nine fixtures of the season. For the first time since 2015, the 49ers allowed 40 points in consecutive games.
Injuries affected the defensive unit’s performance as well, with key players such as Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave, Dre Greenlaw, and Talanoa Hufanga all sidelined at various points throughout the season. The combination of coaching changes and injuries left the 49ers in a tough position as they move forward into the offseason.
