The San Francisco 49ers are reportedly set to hire Boston College's Ray Brown as cornerbacks coach, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports and 247 Sports. The 49ers hired Robert Saleh to be their defensive coordinator last month. This will be Saleh's second stint calling the defense for San Francisco.
The #49ers are set to hire Boston College's Ray Brown as cornerbacks coach, sources tell @CBSSports/@247Sports.
Helped BC post its first seven win regular season since 2018 this past season. Previously worked at Washington State, where he coached Panthers 2024 draft pick Chau… pic.twitter.com/hqaER0P9AU
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 15, 2025
Brown spent the 2024 season as the secondary coach at Boston College. Before that, he was the cornerbacks coach at Washington State for two seasons. Brown also coached at Utah State, Troy, and Abilene Christian, among others.
Per Steph Sanchez of the 49Karats Podcast, Brown has been a coach for 14 years. In those 14 seasons, Brown has coached for nine different college programs. He started coaching on the offensive side of the ball, but for the past 12 seasons, he has coached defensive backs.
49ers new CB coach Ray Brown has 14 years of experience coaching in college football.
2024: Boston College, Secondary
— Steph Sanchez (@Steph49K) February 15, 2025
2022-23: Washington State, Cornerbacks
2021: Utah State, Cornerbacks
2019-20: Troy, Cornerbacks
2016-18: Abilene Christian, Defensive Backs
2014-15: Arizona…
Brown helped lead a Boston College defense that recorded 17 interceptions last year, which tied for first place in the ACC. He also was reportedly instrumental in recruiting some of his defensive backs. This will be his first opportunity as an NFL head coach.
The 49ers have not had an assistant coach specifically for cornerbacks since 2020, when Tony Oden coached cornerbacks. Daniel Bullocks has been with the 49ers since 2019 and has been the defensive passing game specialist/defensive backs. He will remain in that role.
The 49ers have yet to announce the coaching staff changes. They are likely waiting until all the new hires have been made.