The San Francisco 49ers are officially on the hunt for a new defensive coordinator - again. With Robert Saleh heading to Nashville to take over as head coach of the Tennessee Titans, Kyle Shanahan and his staff are moving quickly to find the right replacement to lead one of the NFL’s most talented defensive units.
Three names have already emerged as serious candidates: Raheem Morris, Joe Woods, and Gus Bradley - each bringing a unique blend of experience and familiarity with Shanahan’s system.
Let’s start with Bradley, who Shanahan recently referred to as the “main internal candidate.” That’s not just lip service.
Bradley spent last season as the 49ers’ assistant head coach/defense, giving him an intimate understanding of the team’s personnel and the defensive philosophy that’s helped San Francisco remain a top-tier unit. He’s a steady hand with head coaching experience and a long résumé coordinating defenses that thrive on discipline and structure.
Raheem Morris is another intriguing option. He’s no stranger to Shanahan - the two worked together in both Washington and Atlanta.
Morris was let go after two seasons as the Falcons’ head coach, but his defensive chops are well-documented. He’s served as a coordinator with both the Falcons and the Rams and has a head coaching stint with the Buccaneers under his belt.
Morris brings a flexible, player-first approach that could mesh well with the 49ers’ veteran core.
Then there’s Joe Woods, who’s no stranger to the Bay Area. He was on the 49ers’ staff in 2019, serving as the defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator during the team’s Super Bowl run.
Since then, he’s held DC roles in Cleveland and New Orleans, and most recently worked as the Raiders’ passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach. Woods has a reputation for developing secondaries and could be a strong fit if the Niners are looking to maintain continuity while adding a fresh set of ideas.
And while those three have already interviewed, there’s another name floating around - Jim Schwartz. The longtime defensive coordinator was reportedly a finalist for the Browns’ head coaching job before Cleveland hired Todd Monken.
With Schwartz reportedly not planning to stay in Cleveland, he could be a wild card in this search. Schwartz brings a wealth of experience, including a Super Bowl ring with the Eagles and a track record of building aggressive, hard-nosed defenses.
For the 49ers, this hire is critical. With a Super Bowl-caliber roster and a defense that’s been the backbone of their recent success, the next coordinator needs to be someone who can hit the ground running - someone who understands the balance between scheme and personnel, and who can keep this unit playing fast, physical, and smart.
The interviews are underway, and the decision won’t come lightly. But with these candidates in the mix, the 49ers have a strong group to choose from - and a golden opportunity to keep their defensive identity intact heading into another championship push.