Robert Saleh Reportedly to Be Named San Francisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator

Now that the San Francisco 49ers have officially hired Kyle Shanahan as head coach, the team is busily trying to fill out the rest of its coaching staff. The Niners have reportedly found their next defensive coordinator.

Continue for updates.

---

Saleh Reportedly Will Be Next 49ers DC

Monday, Feb. 13

Adam Caplan of ESPN reported that former Jacksonville Jaguars linebackers coach Robert Saleh is expected to be the next defensive coordinator in San Francisco. Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network confirmed the report.

Caplan added that Saleh will not be a co-defensive coordinator with the team, despite Ian Rapoport of NFL Network's report on Feb. 10 that Atlanta Falcons defensive passing game coordinator Jerome Henderson and Saleh could be named co-defensive coordinators.

---

49ers May Run 3-4 or 4-3 Defense

Thursday, Feb. 9

New 49ers general manager John Lynch said the team has interviewed defensive coordinator candidates with backgrounds in multiple defensive schemes, and there is no preference between one or the other, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.

---

Flores a Target for 49ers

Sunday, Feb. 5

Jay Glazer of Fox Sports (via Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area) reported Shanahan "will want to talk to" New England Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores about the team's defensive coordinator opening.

---

49ers Reportedly Pursuing Bradley

Friday, Jan. 20

Former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley wanted to be the defensive coordinator for former 49ers head coach candidate Tom Cable in San Francisco, but the 49ers are still targeting him to fill the position and have increased their offer, per Michael Silver of NFL.com.

---

Bears Reportedly Prevent 49ers' Reunion with Fangio

Thursday, Jan. 19

According to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio had been on the 49ers' radar until the Bears blocked the move.

Fangio is a familiar name to 49ers fans. He served as the team's defensive coordinator for four seasons from 2011 to 2014 under head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Under Fangio's watch, San Francisco's defense never finished lower than fifth in yards allowed and ranked in the top three in points allowed during each of his first three seasons.

After Harbaugh and the 49ers parted ways following the 2014 season, Fangio interviewed for the team's head coaching job that ultimately went to Jim Tomsula. He joined the Bears and has been working on head coach John Fox's staff for the past two seasons.

---

49ers at Critical Juncture with Staffing Decisions

The 49ers have been in a disastrous state over the past two seasons, bottoming out in 2016 with a 2-14 record, which led to the dismissal of Chip Kelly as head coach and Trent Baalke as general manager.

This is a critical offseason for one of the NFL's most storied franchises. The 49ers will have their fourth head coach in four years and the No. 2 overall pick in April's draft. Building the right coaching staff is the first step on their long road to recovery.