Why the 49ers Promoted Nick Sorensen to Defensive Coordinator

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan did a lot of clarifying on the team's offseason moves.

One of the things he clarified was why the 49ers decided to promote passing game coordinator Nick Sorensen to defensive coordinator. The 49ers could've gone in any direction, but went with a coach who they didn't consider for the vacancy last year before hiring Steve Wilks.

Here is what Shanahan had to say about the decision to make Sorensen the defensive coordinator.

"He's worked with a lot of people before us that I know of," said Shanahan. "Him being in Seattle and Jacksonville, his playing career crossing paths a number of ways. Having him in our building these last couple of years and really getting to work with DeMeco (Ryans) a lot in his first year and working with Steve (Wilks) last year really prepared him for this.

"He's been around the scheme, he's gone through it these last two seasons. I just love where he's at from a football mind. Our players love him, he's been talking to our team every Thursday for meetings, our players are used to him, and it's a great opportunity for him. We're happy to put him in this position... I've been with him for the last two years. I thought he was close last year to being ready and I think he's even more ready now."

Sounds like Shanahan is confident in Sorensen now that he has a full two seasons under his belt to understand what the 49ers like to do defensively. It makes sense why they went with Sorensen, an internal hire, to avoid an external coach putting too much of their own stamp.

That is what Steve Wilks did for a time last season, which is something Shanahan didn't like. Sorensen is the safe option to run what he wants. And arguably what is most important, Sorensen is liked by the players. Those two years, with one of them spent closely with the linebackers, has allowed him to gain favor.

Having that alone is significant, and probably the lead factor as to why Shanahan promoted him. That is why he mentions the player's familiarity with him twice in his answer. The hiring of Brandon Staley is in case Sorensen doesn't pan out too great as a play caller without the worry of the players turning on him a bit like they did with Wilks.