The San Francisco 49ers made some significant changes to their coaching staff on Saturday, which include bringing former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley into the fold.
Staley coached in Los Angeles for three seasons with varying levels of success, ultimately finishing with an overall record of 24-24. A 5-9 start to the year this past season was eventually the final nail in the coffin, leading to the team firing him after Week 15.
Things didn’t work out as a head coach in the NFL, as he had several questionable instances throughout his tenure with the Chargers. However, he has now found a new role on the 49ers coaching staff under Kyle Shanahan.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Staley has been hired by the 49ers for a “prominent staff role” that may include being an assistant head coach.
Schefter also reported that defensive passing game specialist Nick Sorensen has been named the new defensive coordinator in San Francisco after the team parted ways with former defensive coordinator Steve Wilks after their Super Bowl loss.
Two big hires in San Francisco: the 49ers plan to hire their defensive passing game specialist Nick Sorensen as their new defensive coordinator, and former Chargers HC Brandon Staley for a prominent staff role, possibly assistant head coach, sources tell me and @JFowlerESPN. pic.twitter.com/hbV4ykACkI
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 2, 2024
Staley’s reputation amongst NFL fans isn’t the best considering his premature firing in Los Angeles. So, as you would expect, many fans didn’t love this move for the 49ers.
Shanahan hiring Staley to blame him for the next big choke, he’s not slick. https://t.co/LN6udRLAme
— G (@3treblig) March 2, 2024
https://twitter.com/KingSkeezy_/status/1763904962638045224
This feels like they don’t have total confidence in Sorensen.
Either that or they think the vets won’t accept Staley so technically Sorensen will be the DC but Staley will make the game plans.
Either way, something is fishy. https://t.co/l0MWq9rpgL
— Rob “Stats” Guerrera (@statsonfire on threads) (@StatsOnFire) March 2, 2024
Out all the guy Brandon Staley really
49ers defense be like https://t.co/P1bxJn8urh pic.twitter.com/EOFrtPT9J7— SonicEh30 (@SonicEh30) March 2, 2024
if you think you are never going to get anywhere, just remember brandon staley is one of the worst head coaches i have ever seen and he is still being hired. anything is possible! https://t.co/7AxcdVgcid
— Lawrence Truther✍️ (@LawrenceSZNN) March 2, 2024
At this point, it is unclear what Staley’s role will look like within the 49ers organization. But he has a reputation as a defensive mind so that he could work alongside or under new defensive coordinator Nick Sorenson.
The move doesn’t inspire much confidence, given Staley’s recent lack of success. But maybe his impact will be far better served as an assistant in the NFL than it was as a head coach.
