The San Francisco 49ers have entrusted Nick Sorensen, their new defensive coordinator, with the task of reviving the team’s once-dominant defensive unit. After parting ways with Steve Wilks following a single season, the 49ers opted to promote Sorensen internally, with guidance from former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, aiming to return to a high level of defensive performance after a slight decline in the previous season.
In his inaugural public statements since assuming the position earlier this offseason, Sorensen emphasized the team’s shared commitment to excellence and winning, particularly in defensive play, expressing confidence in meeting those expectations.
During Wilks’ tenure, the 49ers fell short of the defensive standards set by predecessors Robert Saleh and DeMeco Ryans, notably struggling in crucial moments during playoff matchups. The team’s defensive performance under Wilks didn’t match the strong showing seen in 2022 under Ryans, prompting the need for change.
Sorensen’s elevation to defensive coordinator marks a shift from his previous role as a passing game specialist, representing his first experience overseeing an entire defensive unit in his coaching career. His journey with the 49ers began in 2022 as a defensive assistant, during which he also led sessions focused on turnover creation and error reduction.
Prior to joining the 49ers, Sorensen served as the special teams coach in Jacksonville in 2021, following eight seasons in Seattle where he focused on the secondary and special teams, aligning closely with the defensive scheme employed by the 49ers.
