Nick Sorensen out as 49ers' defensive coordinator, source says - ESPN

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers continued their coaching staff makeover Tuesday night, removing Nick Sorensen from his role as defensive coordinator, a source told ESPN.

The Niners hope to retain Sorensen in a different role, the source said, though what position that would be is unclear. With Sorensen out, the 49ers and coach Kyle Shanahan will employ their third defensive coordinator in as many seasons in 2025 after firing Steve Wilks last February.

After moving on from Wilks, Shanahan aimed to get the defense back to previous levels of dominance the 49ers enjoyed under Robert Saleh and DeMeco Ryans. Shanahan promoted Sorensen from defensive pass game specialist and nickelbacks coach in early March, with Brandon Staley added to the staff as an assistant head coach.

Sorensen has been with the Niners since 2022 and previously worked in defensive back and special teams roles with the Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars. This season was his first as a defensive coordinator, and the 49ers' defense took a significant step back in a number of categories.

This season, San Francisco finished 29th in scoring defense (25.6 points per game allowed), 20th in defensive efficiency (47.32), 26th in QBR allowed (58.5), 18th in rushing yards allowed per game (124.6) and tied for 20th in takeaways (17). After the 49ers' Week 9 bye, they forced just two turnovers in the final nine games.

On Thursday, Sorensen said he hadn't fully taken time to evaluate his performance this season but believed he was figuring things out as he went along.

«I learn all the time,» Sorensen said. «I'm harder on myself probably than anyone ever can [be], anything you guys or anyone could say. It starts with are we winning the game?