Replacing DeMeco Ryans might be the hardest and most important thing the 49ers will do this offseason. Their defensive coordinator took a job as head coach of the Houston Texans for the past two years, leaving a gaping void in San Francisco’s defense.
While the 49ers’ defensive group is very talented, Ryans’ schematic brilliance and leadership has made him a quick climb up the NFL coaching ranks. They also made him perhaps the best defensive coordinator in the NFL in his first year on the job.
It’s highly likely that the 49ers’ defense will once again be the team’s spearhead in 2023, so finding a good defensive coordinator will be paramount to their continued success. They’ve already requested a few interviews, but a handful of other at least semi-intriguing names remain:
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The 49ers are requesting an interview with the veteran coach, who served as interim head coach overseeing the Panthers’ late-season playoff push. He’s been in the NFL since 2006 and is one of the few people available who could potentially replace Ryans as the leader of a very talented San Francisco defense.
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There are conflicting reports of Fangio’s availability, but the former 49ers’ DC would make a lot of sense if Shanahan wants to go down a more experienced path. The big question here is whether the 49ers would be willing to change their pattern to the 3-4 Fangio that is normally deployed.
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Harris is another person the 49ers have requested an interview with. He falls into the mold of a Robert Saleh or Ryan as he has no experience as a coordinator. It’s worked out twice for the 49ers so far, so it would make sense for them to try to go that route again.
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Evero could very well land a job as head coach this cycle. However, when he doesn’t, he is arguably the best defensive coordinator available, having helped build a very good Broncos defense in his first year as a coordinator in 2022. Denver ranked 14th in points and 7th in yards.
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There’s no real sign that the 49ers are interested in making Kocurek their DC, nor is there any sign that he’s interested in a promotion. However, he was sensational as San Francisco’s defensive line coach, and his leadership skills could make him a good candidate for the lead job.
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It doesn’t appear that the 49ers are looking for a DC internally, but Undlin has experience. Trouble is, his experience was pretty disastrous. Undlin has been the 49ers’ defensive passing specialist since 2021 and became their secondary coach in 2022. While that’s been going well, his only stint as 2020 defensive coordinator came with the Lions, where they finished bottom in points and yards. It’s hard to imagine it being anything more than a last resort.