Who the 49ers will Hire to Replace Steve Wilks as Defensive Coordinator
The 49ers wasted no time firing defensive coordinator Steve Wilks this offseason. Here are three coaches they could hire to replace him.
1. Daniel Bullocks
Bullocks is the 49ers defensive backs coach and has been with the team since 2017 -- he's part of Kyle Shanahan's original coaching staff which included both Robert Saleh and DeMeco Ryans. Which means Bullocks helped create the defensive culture of "all gas, no breaks" which the 49ers seemed to lose at times this season. The issue with Bullocks is his lack of experience. He never has been a coordinator. Can the 49ers win a Super Bowl with a rookie play caller on defense? Shanahan might prefer someone with Super Bowl experience, while the players most likely prefer Bullocks because they know him. If Shanahan brings in an outsider, he runs the risk of his players rejecting him the way they rejected Wilks.
2. Brian Flores
Flores is a highly-respected defensive coordinator who has experience as a head coach, plus he won four Super Bowls as an assistant on the Patriots under Bill Belichick. In addition, Flores held the 49ers offense to just 17 points this season when he was the defensive coordinator for the Vikings. Flores would be a terrific addition to the 49ers, considering he has history coaching both safeties and linebackers. He could tie the defense together.
3. Mike Vrabel
Vrabel has three Super Bowls as a player, but none as a coach. Still, he was a successful head coach for the Titans who most likely will become a head coach again soon. In the meantime, he could coach the 49ers defense for a year, win a Super Bowl and hit the coaching market again next year.
