Finding a new defensive coordinator became the first offseason box the San Francisco 49ers needed to check once they parted ways with former DC Nick Sorensen.
While they acted quickly in interviewing former New York Jets head coach and 49ers DC Robert Saleh, and Detroit Lions defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend, their search appears to have stalled. Now they’re running out of options.
Saleh is the frontrunner for the job and the 49ers appear to be waiting for him to finish his spin through the head coaching interview cycle.
The problem is he already interviewed once for the head job with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and now he’s one of three people receiving a second interview with them per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen and Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham will also have second interviews with the Jaguars.
Had the 49ers not been able to land Saleh, former Jets DC Jeff Ulbrich was another popular name in San Francisco’s DC search. They never interviewed him and he landed with the Atlanta Falcons.
Former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen was another name reported to be on the 49ers’ short list, and now he’s the frontrunner to become the next DC of the Chicago Bears under new head coach Ben Johnson according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Even a coach like former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who was not reported to be on the 49ers’ list of preferred candidates, is now on track to be hired by the Indianapolis Colts per Rapoport.
Perhaps the 49ers really like Townsend, a former NFL defensive back with 11 years of NFL experience as primarily a defensive backs coach. However, his lack of experience as a defensive coordinator may be disqualifying given some of the growing pains Sorensen had in his first year as a DC.
49ers assistant head coach Brandon Staley is an internal candidate (and the only one, it appears).
Beyond that this may be the second consecutive offseason where the 49ers are trying to quickly patch up a massive hole in their coaching roster. If Saleh doesn’t get a head coaching job, they should be okay. If he does, they may be left empty handed and settling for someone incapable of getting their defense back to the level it needs to be for the 49ers to win a Super Bowl.