For the second time in three years, the 49ers are in need of a new defensive coordinator.
While Vic Fangio was the popular name bandied about, the fact that he’s traditionally run a 3-4 system made him an imperfect fit. In the end, he stuck with the original offer he received from the Miami Dolphins.
So, who, if not Fangio?
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport joined Murph & Mac on Monday and provided an update on the situation.
“So right now it’s Steve Wilks and Chris Harris,” Rapoport said. “Both of those guys are going to interview. I would expect Cory Undlin to get a look as well. Really the pass game secondary guy under DeMeco Ryans. I would imagine he gets to work in Houston too.”
Undlin is the only member of the 49ers staff with previous experience as a defensive coordinator. He was the Detroit Lions’ DC in 2020, and has won two Super Bowls — one as an assistant with the New England Patriots and another as a defensive backs coach with the Nick Foles-led Philadelphia Eagles.
Wilks was the Caroline Panthers interim head coach this past season and Harris, who reportedly has an offer on the table from the Chicago Bears, comes from the Washington Commanders. Read more about them here.
Listen to the full interview below. You can listen to every KNBR interview on our podcast page at knbr.com/podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Catch Murph & Mac weekdays from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. on KNBR 104.5 / 680 and streaming live on KNBR.com.
