49ers Coach Departs to be Saints Defensive Coordinator

What did he do for the 49ers anyways?

Dec 26, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley reacts during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

One and done.

49ers assistant head coach Brandon Staley is departing to join the Saints as their new defensive coordinator. Staley reunites with Kellen Moore who Staley hired to be his offensive coordinator when he was the head coach of the Chargers.

It seems Moore is paying him back the favor by granting him the role that he never was getting with the 49ers. For over the last month, it was reported by NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco that Staley was not expected to be back with the 49ers.

The #Saints are hiring former #Chargers coach Brandon Staley as the defensive coordinator for coach Kellen Moore, per The Insiders.

Staley was an assistant this year with the #49ers, and before LAC, he burst onto the scene as a #Rams DC. Now, lands in NO. pic.twitter.com/ytNtbTMdzm

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 21, 2025

On Feb. 11, it was reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter that Staley was the favorite to be the Saints' new defensive coordinator. Sure enough, he is exiting the 49ers as Maiocco said, and lands the job with the Saints as Schefter said.

The 49ers will not shed a tear or even flinch that Staley is leaving. If anything, they are probably happy he is gone. To this day, it is unclear what Staley provided or did for the 49ers. Rising star cornerback Deommodore Lenoir seemed to like him.

He also supposedly ran the "ball meetings" which focused on turnovers. That didn't pan out since the 49ers couldn't reel in a turnover to save their lives last season. It'll be interesting to see if Staley has any success with the Saints.

For his sake, he better hope he can run an effective group. The 49ers will face the Saints in 2025 in New Orleans, so that will be an intriguing matchup between Kyle Shanahan and Staley.

I like Shanahan in that by a wide margin.

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