The San Francisco 49ers are considering Pete Carroll for defensive coordinator. (Photo by Jennifer … [+] Stewart/Getty Images)
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The San Francisco 49ers’ search to replace recently-fired defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen has been somewhat confusing.
Sorenson was fired after just one season in that role. San Francisco will now have to bring in its fourth defensive coordinator in as many seasons to work with head coach Kyle Shanahan after an ugly seven-win 2024 campaign.
Interestingly enough, many round the NFL believe that it has been Robert Saleh or bust as the 49ers continue through their process. He was San Francisco’s defensive coordinator from 2017-20 before moving on to become the New York Jets’ head coach. Saleh was then fired five games into the 2024 season.
At issue here for San Francisco is that Saleh is seen as a top candidate for multiple head-coach openings. That includes the Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars.
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So, what are the 49ers back-up plans should Saleh land a head-coach gig? Do they even have one?
49ers insider Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard points to an interesting potential name. Former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll.
“As the 49ers anxiously wait for the outcome of Saleh’s interview with Jacksonville for the Jaguars’ head-coaching vacancy, I’ve heard that Carroll’s name has come up inside 49ers HQ as an interesting idea,” the report read.
First off, Saleh is set for a second interview with the Jaguars on Friday. Earlier on Wednesday, Jacksonville surprisingly fired general manager Trent Baalke. It remains to be seen how that will play a role in the Jaguars’ decision-making process.
Secondly, many around the league believe that Carroll is now the top candidate to land in Vegas. The Raiders lost out on former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to the Chicago Bears when they were initially seen as heavy favorites.
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Pete Carroll and Kyle Shanahan would make for an interesting pairing. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty … [+] Images)
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Carroll, 73, has been itching to get back into coaching after being let go by Seattle following the 2023 season. If he can’t return as a head coach, the 49ers’ defensive coordinator job would be attractive.
A native of San Francisco, Carroll also has deep ties with the 49ers’ organization. That included acting as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator from 1995-1996 before being hired as the New England Patriots’ head coach.
Getting someone with this type of experience and success would be a boon for San Francisco after a down 2024 campaign.
During his 14-year stint as the Seahawks’ head coach, Carroll led the team to 10 playoff appearances, including consecutive trips to the Super Bowl. His high-water mark in the Pacific Northwest was a win over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Dating back to his days as the Jets’ defensive coordinator, Carroll has consistently fielded top-end defenses. That includes 12 top-10 scoring units. He’s famously known for the Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” defense.
While Carroll and his Seahawks acted as the 49ers’ top division rival from 2010-2023, there is said to be mutual respect between him and Shanahan.
Brandon Staley would not be a popular hire among San Francisco 49ers fans. (Photo by Will … [+] Lester/MediaNews Group/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin via Getty Images)
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Of course, there are other candidates for the opening. That includes current assistant coach Brandon Staley. He came over to Northern California this past season after the Los Angeles Chargers removed him as head coach. Staley has already interviewed for the opening.
For the 49ers, it’s seemingly all about getting an experienced defensive mind in the fold.
“Would Shanahan be comfortable bringing in someone with such a long and heralded history? Yes, I think he would, since Shanahan confirmed to me last summer that before hiring Sorensen, he offered the DC job to Bill Belichick, who turned it down,” Kawakami noted.
We will find out soon enough whether Saleh lands elsewhere or returns for his second stint as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator. But Pete Carroll is obviously an interesting option.
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