NFL News: Nick Sorensen Reportedly Fired as 49ers DC, Could Stay on Shanahan's Staff

Nick Sorensen's time as the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers reportedly lasted just one year.

Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports reported Tuesday that Sorensen is out as the defensive coordinator even though the team hopes to keep him as an assistant on the staff. Maiocco explained "there are a few attractive options" that San Francisco will explore for the DC position.

Sorensen played in the NFL as a defensive back for 10 seasons from 2001 through 2010 for the St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns.

He then landed his first coaching job in the NFL in 2013 as a special teams assistant for the Seattle Seahawks. He remained with the Seahawks for eight years and eventually became the defensive backs coach, which was fitting given his playing career.

Seattle went to the playoffs seven times during his tenure, including when it reached back-to-back Super Bowls during the 2013 and 2014 campaigns. It won the Super Bowl during that 2013 season.

After his eight years with the Seahawks, Sorensen was the special teams coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021 before joining the 49ers ahead of the 2022 campaign. He started as a defensive assistant in San Francisco before he was promoted to nickelbacks coach in 2023 and the defensive coordinator role in 2024.

The 49ers were a solid eighth in the league in yards allowed under his direction this past season, although they were also a disappointing 29th in points allowed.

The defense's inability to keep opposing teams off the scoreboard was a major reason San Francisco went 6-11 and missed the playoffs after reaching the Super Bowl last season, although injuries were also largely to blame.

Still, head coach Kyle Shanahan clearly appreciates the work Sorensen did with the 49ers given the team's reported interest in keeping him aboard. He was an assistant during the Super Bowl run and could look to fill a similar role in 2025 for a team looking to bounce back.

For now, though, the NFC West club is in the market for a new defensive coordinator.