The 49ers are seeking a replacement for Nick Sorensen, who was relieved of his duties following a disappointing 6-11 season that marked the team's first playoff absence since 2020.
RELATED
"As hard as it is for me to come to this conclusion, but I feel there's some options out there that can end up being a better option in the situation that we're in for our team," head coach Kyle Shanahan said this week.
Saleh previously served as the 49ers' defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020. He played a significant part in the team reaching Super Bowl LIV. Saleh left San Francisco to take over as the Jets' head coach in 2021 but was dismissed on October 8, 2024, after a 2-3 start to the season.
Saleh is also in the mix for the Jacksonville Jaguars' head coaching vacancy.
Townsend, meanwhile, has been with the Lions for just one season. Before his current role, he served as the Jacksonville Jaguars' passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach from 2022 to 2023. Townsend was the secondary coach for the Chicago Bears from 2019 to 2021. He has also had coaching stints with the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, and Arizona Cardinals.
"I love the scheme that we've had here," Shanahan said. "I think it's one of the hardest things to go [against] when you've got the right guys in the right spots. But I do think people adjust to the schemes, and I think you have to adjust, too, depending on your personnel, and I think that was a tougher thing for us this year."
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Mock draft has 49ers bolstering decimated defensive line
The San Francisco 49ers have made several curious moves this offseason, and it's not because of their additions. The focus has been on the team's losses, including along the defensive line—an area already seen as a weakness. The 49ers parted ways with defensive linemen... -
Insider sheds light on 49ers' philosophical shift and what it means for Shanahan
NFL insider Michael Silver recently wrote an insightful piece for The Athletic, detailing a noticeable shift in philosophy within the San Francisco 49ers organization. While it's more of a course correction than a drastic overhaul, the changes signal an evolving approach to... -
Report: Insider reveals key details on 49ers' and Dolphins' offers to Joey Bosa [update]
The Athletic's Michael Silver reports that the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins have both made offers to free-agent pass rusher Joey Bosa. Each team presents a unique incentive to entice the five-time Pro Bowler. With the 49ers, Bosa would have the rare opportunity to... -
PFF: What went wrong for the 49ers in 2024 and their only path in free agency
The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a disappointing 6-11 season, one marred by injuries and costly mistakes that ultimately landed them in last place in the NFC West. Luck wasn't on their side in 2024, and their struggles were evident throughout the campaign. Pro Football...