SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers have parted ways with special teams coach Brian Schneider after a disappointing season that saw many kicking errors contribute to the team’s struggles, according to a reliable source familiar with the decision. The source requested anonymity, as the team had not yet made an official announcement regarding Schneider’s dismissal.
Reports indicate that ESPN was the first to disclose this change.
Schneider was in his third season with the 49ers, and this year was characterized by significant challenges, leading to the team’s last-place finish in expected points added from special teams. Additionally, San Francisco ranked poorly across various efficiency metrics related to the kicking game. The 49ers ended the season with a disappointing 6-11 record, which meant they did not qualify for the playoffs.
Throughout the season, special teams errors played a crucial role in several critical losses. One notable game was a Week 3 matchup against the Rams, where the team allowed a fake punt that contributed to a scoring drive, missed a critical field goal late in the game, and surrendered a long punt return that led to a game-winning field goal.
The issues extended beyond that single matchup, as San Francisco faced a blocked punt, a kickoff return for a touchdown, and three turnovers during return plays over the course of the season. A particularly troubling moment came in the season’s final game against Arizona, where they allowed another successful fake punt.
A significant point of concern for the special teams unit was the performance of second-year kicker Jake Moody. The 49ers spent a third-round draft pick on Moody in 2023, but his performance was inconsistent throughout his rookie year. He successfully made 21 out of 25 field goals during the regular season and only missed one extra point. However, he struggled in clutch moments, missing a potential game-winning kick in a loss to Cleveland and failing to convert in playoff victories against Green Bay and Detroit.
Moody did redeem himself in the Super Bowl, where he made three field goals, including two from over 50 yards, and a crucial 53-yard kick late in the game against Kansas City. Nonetheless, he also suffered a setback when an extra point was blocked during that match.
This season brought further difficulties for Moody, who missed a crucial late field goal in the loss against the Rams and struggled with confidence after returning from a high ankle sprain. Following the injury, he converted only 5 out of 14 field goals from 40 yards or more in the subsequent nine games.
