Brandon Staley, who was fired as the Chargers head coach last season, has been confirmed as the assistant head coach/defense for the 49ers. This marks a significant change for Staley, but he views it as a positive opportunity.
Staley was in the running for several defensive coordinator positions but ultimately did not land any of them. However, the 49ers interviewed him and offered him a different role on Kyle Shanahan’s staff. Nick Sorenson is the coordinator, and Shanahan stated that Staley is aware of this and has been brought on to assist in various capacities.
Staley expressed his alignment with Shanahan and General Manager John Lynch in terms of leadership style, noting that this was a key factor in his decision to join the 49ers. He sees this new role as a reset of sorts, which he believes is a good thing given the circumstances. While he only spent one year as a coordinator before his unsuccessful stint with the Chargers, Staley understands that taking a step back is necessary to work towards another shot at a head coaching role. Joining a team with a strong reputation like the 49ers offers Staley a promising start on this journey of improvement and development.
