San Francisco 49ers president of football operations/general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan held their customary end-of-the-season press conference on Wednesday morning to offer closing remarks on the 2024 campaign and insight into the team's offseason plans. The duo has already made some difficult coaching decisions following the 49ers final game of year as they look to position the team for success in 2025.
A Change at Defensive Coordinator
One of a couple early coaching changes includes moving on from first-year defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen. Shanahan went on to further clarify that Sorensen, who has spent the last three seasons with the 49ers, is still under contract but has been informed he will not continue on as a coordinator. Per the head coach, there is strong interest in retaining Sorensen on staff, and he is also under consideration for the open special teams coordinator position. The team is giving Sorensen time to decide on his future while San Francisco finds the best fit for him on Shanahan's staff.
"As hard as it is for me to come to this conclusion, I feel there are some options out there that can end up being a better option in the situation that we're in," Shanahan said. "And, when really it comes down to that, in the position I'm in, regardless of anything else, that's always the stuff I've got to go with. It was a real tough decision for me, and I'm still hoping that we can keep Nick here, but I do feel there are some other avenues that in the long run will be better for the 49ers."
The head coach revealed that assistant head coach/defense Brandon Staley is an internal candidate for the open defensive coordinator role.
Parting Ways with Brian Schneider
The second coaching change of the offseason involved parting ways special teams coordinator Brian Schneider after three seasons with the organization. The 2024 season was a challenging one for special teams, producing less than stellar results for the red and gold. Injuries to key special teams playmakers including punter Mitch Wishnowsky, kicker Jake Moody and gunner George Odum contributed in part to the unit's performance in 2024.
"Losing your kicker, losing your punter, when injuries do affect the roster, especially offense and defensively, what it did affect the most was special teams," Shanahan said. "I think that was unfair to Brian and a tough situation to put him in. But, I do think it's an avenue we can get better in. You can't change the whole thing out, so Brian ends up being the fall guy for that, and I really appreciate him."
Internal Promotion on the Way
In the upcoming season, offensive passing game specialist Klay Kubiak is expected to assume the title of offensive coordinator. Kubiak joined Shanahan's staff in 2021 as a defensive quality control coach and spent the next two seasons as the assistant quarterbacks coach (2022-23) before taking on his current role.
"Klay's role is going to be the same as it has been which has been the offensive coordinator," Shanahan said. "He just hasn't had that title yet. I mean, Klay has done as much as anyone on offense for these last two years. So, this was his second year doing that and he gets better each year. He just hasn't had the official title yet. Now, he'll get the official title, which he more than deserves, but it's more about recognizing what he's already been doing and doing at a high level."
Shanahan went on to say that he will remain the team's offensive play-caller.
