49ers plan to bring back Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator

In the United States, the San Francisco 49ers initiated their search for a new defensive coordinator shortly after the end of the recent NFL season. On Thursday, they interviewed Robert Saleh, a former coordinator with the team, for a second stint in the role, as well as Deshea Townsend, an assistant coach currently with the Detroit Lions. This decision followed the termination of Nick Sorensen, who held the coordinator position for only one season and faced criticism for the team's defensive performance. With a record of 29th in league scoring defense and struggling to create turnovers, San Francisco is determined to find a replacement who can effectively adapt the defensive strategy and scheme to better fit the available personnel. Nick Sorensen was dismissed after a season marked by struggles, including a high point total allowed in the last few games and a significant decline in performance metrics. Before Sorensen, the team had seen considerable turnover in coaching positions, with DeMeco Ryans leaving to become head coach of the Houston Texans and Steve Wilks being fired after a season that culminated in a Super Bowl appearance. This marks the 49ers' fourth search for a defensive coordinator within the last four seasons, amplifying the pressure on the franchise to stabilize its coaching staff and improve on-field results. Robert Saleh was originally the team's defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020, where he helped build a strong defensive unit highlighted by the drafting of star defensive end Nick Bosa in 2019, and the introduction of a unique scheme that proved successful. His tenure led the team to a Super Bowl appearance in the 2019 season. However, Saleh was released from his role as head coach of the New York Jets midway through the latest season despite having built a robust defense during his time there. Much discussion surrounds his candidacy, as Saleh is also being considered for head coaching positions elsewhere in the league. Deshea Townsend, on the other hand, is in his inaugural season as the passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Detroit Lions after spending two prior seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Townsend, who enjoyed a 13-year playing career highlighted by two Super Bowl victories with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is viewed as a potential solution for the 49ers, especially given his recent coaching success in enhancing player performance in the Lions’ defense. His interviews were conducted virtually due to NFL protocols restricting in-person interactions until mid-January, but this did not impede the 49ers' effort to meet the Rooney Rule mandates meant to promote diversity in coaching searches.