49ers’ Defensive Plans Go Up in Smoke: Coaching Strategy Backfires in Stunning Fashion

The San Francisco 49ers are currently in the midst of a coaching search, as they’re looking for both their next defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator.

For the latter position, the team has already conducted a number of interviews with external candidates, creating a wider pool of options to fix what has been a problem for years.

However, for the former position, the 49ers have only formally conducted two interviews: former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Detroit Lions pass game coordinator Deshea Townsend.

As the lack of interviews continues for the vacant defensive coordinator position, it seems more and more likely that Saleh is San Francisco’s pick to fill the role. But, it isn’t that easy of a transition just yet.

Saleh has been gaining traction on the head coaching interview front, getting a second interview for the Jacksonville Jaguars position, while also earning an interview for the Dallas Cowboys position.

The Jaguars have looked at a wide array of candidates, but Saleh is believed to have some supporters in the building, stemming from his stint as the linebackers coach in Jacksonville from 2014-16 prior to being San Francisco’s defensive coordinator from 2017-20.

Now, it’s unclear whether Saleh is actually the favorite for the job, as there are a number of viable candidates, including Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who would make sense as an option to help quarterback Trevor Lawrence progress.

But, the 49ers have a chance for their defensive coordinator plan to backfire if they truly are all-in on Saleh, as it seems he’ll only be their option if he doesn’t get a head coaching gig in this cycle.

San Francisco has elected not to conduct any other interviews with external candidates, and has already lost one of their perceived top options, as Jeff Ulbrich was hired as the Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator last week.

So, the options are continuing to thin out, with names such as Lou Anarumo, who is expected to join the Indianapolis Colts as their defensive coordinator, and Dennis Allen, a potential 49ers candidate who is expected to join the Chicago Bears under new head coach Ben Johnson, now out of the mix.

It seems like Saleh will end up as the next defensive coordinator for the 49ers. But, it’s interesting that they haven’t picked up the steam with their approach without Saleh as the former assistant continues to gain traction with head coaching interviews. We’ll see if that ends up backfiring or if the expected reunion is in the cards.