Report: 49ers elevate Nick Sorensen to defensive coordinator, hire Brandon Staley to 'prominent role'

The San Francisco 49ers elevated Nick Sorensen to the defensive coordinator role, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Not only that, but the team plans to hire former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley to an undefined role.

“Two big hires in San Francisco: the 49ers plan to hire their defensive passing game specialist Nick Sorensen as their new defensive coordinator, and former Chargers HC Brandon Staley for a prominent staff role, possibly assistant head coach, sources tell me and @JFowlerESPN,” Schefter wrote on Twitter.

The Chargers fired Staley back in December and proceeded to hire Jim Harbuagh as their new head coach. But now, Staley has a new gig with a Super Bowl contender.

Shortly after Super Bowl LVIII, the 49ers elected to part ways with DC Steve Wilks. The move was a bit of a surprise to most, but San Francisco decided it was time for a change.

Staley, 41, had a 24-24 record during his time in Los Angeles, and he only had one playoff appearance under his belt. His tenure started with a 9-8 mark in 2021 and he made his first playoff appearance in 2022 with a 10-7 record. That put the Chargers in the AFC Wild Card game, and they led the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-0 at one point. However, that lead eventually evaporated, and Los Angeles eventually fell 31-30. That sent Staley into his third season with some criticism, and it didn’t seem to slow down considering the Chargers’ struggles — particularly on defense.

Los Angeles entered its Thursday Night Football matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders ranked 29th in total yards and passing yards allowed.

Staley played quarterback at Mercyhurst College and got his coaching start as a graduate assistant at Northern Illinois before some time at the high school and JUCO levels. He then joined Tennessee as a graduate assistant in 2012 before stints with John Carroll and James Madison from 2014-16.

In 2017, Staley got his first NFL opportunity as the Chicago Bears’ outside linebackers coach under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. He spent two years in Chicago before following Fangio to Denver to serve as the Broncos’ outside linebackers coach in 2019.

Then, Staley got his first NFL defensive coordinator opportunity with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020, leading a unit that ranked led the league in total defense. That helped get him the Chargers opportunity.

Nick Schultz contributed to this report