Falcons hire defensive coordinator once on the 49ers’ radar

The Atlanta Falcons are hiring Jeff Ulbrich as their new defensive coordinator, removing another highly qualified candidate from the market.

Although the San Francisco 49ers did not interview Ulbrich for their current defensive coordinator vacancy, the team expressed interest in him during last year's search for the same position. At the time, Ulbrich was the New York Jets' defensive coordinator, and the Jets denied the 49ers permission to interview him since it would have been considered a lateral move.

The 49ers ultimately hired Nick Sorensen, who lasted just one season before being relieved of his duties.

Ulbrich later became the Jets' interim head coach following Robert Saleh's firing. Now, Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers are reportedly interested in reuniting with Saleh as their defensive coordinator. However, the team is waiting to see how the coaching landscape develops and whether Saleh secures another head coaching opportunity.

This week, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reported that the 49ers are prepared to make Saleh a substantial offer to return to Santa Clara, where he served as defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020.

"I've heard that they've already told Saleh, 'We will make you the highest-paid defensive coordinator in all the land if you sign with us,'" Barrows said. "And so now, it's just a matter of waiting for Saleh, and he's getting all sorts of head coaching attention."

Ulbrich, a California native, played linebacker for the 49ers from 2000 to 2009. He began coaching in 2010 as an assistant special teams coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks. From 2012 to 2014, he coached linebackers and special teams at UCLA before returning to the NFL as the Atlanta Falcons' linebackers coach in 2015.

In 2020, Ulbrich added assistant head coach and defensive coordinator to his responsibilities in Atlanta before joining Saleh's staff with the Jets as defensive coordinator.