The San Francisco 49ers could face a tough challenge if the Jacksonville Jaguars hire defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as their new head coach. Saleh is scheduled for a second interview with the Jaguars on Friday, and Matt Barrows of The Athletic has described the 49ers' search for a new defensive coordinator as "Saleh or bust."
Only one other known candidate has interviewed for the 49ers' defensive coordinator vacancy—Detroit Lions defensive passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has also mentioned Brandon Staley, the assistant head coach, as a consideration.
Other than that, it's been a relatively quiet search so far.
However, Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard reports that there have been internal discussions about a candidate who is well-versed in the Seahawks-style defense that Shanahan prefers: Pete Carroll.
"[A]s the 49ers anxiously wait for the outcome of Saleh's interview with Jacksonville for the Jaguars' head-coaching vacancy, I've heard that Carroll's name has come up inside 49ers HQ as an interesting idea, at least," Kawakami wrote. "But the 49ers also have to wait out things with Carroll, who, according to The Athletic, could be the Raiders' No. 1 choice now that Ben Johnson has taken the Chicago Bears' job."
If Saleh joins the Jaguars and Carroll heads to the Raiders, it would put Shanahan and the 49ers in a bind. Former New York Jets defensive coordinator and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, who the 49ers showed significant interest in last year, has already committed to becoming the Atlanta Falcons' defensive coordinator.
Carroll, 73, to the 49ers would be a homecoming for the coach. He served as San Francisco's defensive coordinator from 1995 to 1996 and has a deep understanding of the organization.
Carroll most recently led the Seattle Seahawks from 2010 to 2023, squaring off against Shanahan several times since 2017. Despite their rivalry, the two share mutual respect, which could make Carroll a compelling choice for Shanahan's staff.
The coming days will determine if the 49ers lose out on Saleh and how they will address the coaching position after firing Nick Sorensen.
