After parting ways with Steve Wilks shortly after the 49ers' Super Bowl LVIII loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, coach Kyle Shanahan must find a new defensive coordinator for San Francisco.
During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show with Andrew Siciliano on Friday, 49ers play-by-play announcer Greg Papa suggested a big name with Bay Area ties who can fill the void better than other potential options like former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
“I find [former Seattle Seahawks coach] “Pete Carroll would be a better fit for us,” Dad said. Because with Belichick he likes to vary his fronts – it would be a completely different defense. What is the best defense for Fred? [Warner]Dr [Greenlaw]Nick [Bosa], Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir and Talanoa Hufanga? That's what you want to serve.
“The defense the 49ers have been running since Kyle [Shanahan] was the head coach [the] Seattle's defense. [Carroll’s] the guy who did it.”
Compared to Belichick, the 49ers know Carroll much better as the Seahawks' NFC West rival.
The 49ers may also be able to benefit from Carroll's leadership as they take a similar approach to defense. San Francisco has a 4-3, 9 perimeter defense that Carroll used for years in Seattle.
In addition to strategic connections, Carroll has ties to the 49ers in two ways: as a former defensive coordinator and a Bay Area native.
“He’s from the Bay Area,” Dad noted. “He used to be the defensive coordinator for the 49ers. Pete is from here. He is from Marin, Greenbrae.
“But does Pete want that? He has been at the head coaching level for 20 years. He hasn’t led a defense since his time with the 49ers in the mid-90s.”
Carroll, born in San Francisco, was the defensive coordinator of a 49ers team that finished first in the NFC West with an 11-5 record.
Most notably, the 49ers had the NFL's second-best defense in terms of scoring under Caroll, allowing just 16.1 points per game.
As Shanahan weighs his options, it's fair to assume he'll have some composure toward the former San Francisco employee.
“It will be exciting to see what path Kyle takes,” Papa concluded.
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