Former 49ers Coach Signs With the Cowboys

It didn't take long for this former 49ers coach to land back on his feet.
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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It didn't take long for former San Francisco 49ers coach Nick Sorensen to land back on his feet.

The Dallas Cowboys are officially hiring Sorensen to be their new special teams coordinator. Sorensen was the 49ers' defensive coordinator in 2024, so initially, it seems strange to see him land a job as a special teams coordinator.

However, Sorensen has a year of experience as one. He was the special teams coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021 before joining the 49ers in 2022. So, after a year as a defensive coordinator, Sorensen returns to special teams.

The 49ers considered Sorensen for their role before they hired Brant Boyer. It was likely that Sorensen didn't want to remain on the 49ers after being relieved of his duties as the defensive play-caller. It makes for an awkward situation.

Sorensen didn't do as bad of a job as most would think. The first and foremost issue of the 49ers' defense was player execution. Too many missed tackles, bad angles, and failing to reel in interceptions and create turnovers were had despite being in position.

He wasn't great or good by any means, but he takes a little more criticism than necessary. Still, it is revealing that no other team showed interest in him as their defensive coordinator and that he had to transition back to special teams.

The 49ers are in a much better place with Robert Saleh as their defensive coordinator and Boyer as their special teams coordinator over Sorensen.

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Jose Luis Sanchez III
JOSE LUIS SANCHEZ III

Jose Luis Sanchez III has covered the San Francisco 49ers daily for FanNation since 2019. He started off as the lead publisher for FanNation's All49ers, then switched positions to become the Deputy Editor in 2020. Sanchez writes, edits, and produces videos daily for All49ers. He also co-hosts a show on YouTube with All49ers lead publisher Grant Cohn weekly. Prior to FanNation, Sanchez started his writing career back in 2016 for the school newspaper at Skyline college where he covered all sports team in the Bay Area. Following that from 2017 to 2019, he found a role as a contributor for FanSided's news desk along with their site's Just Blog Baby covering the Las Vegas Raiders and Golden Gate Sports every professional Bay Area sports team. Atop all of that, he was able to graduate with a Bachelors degree in Communication Studies at San Francisco State University in 2020. Sanchez is committed to ensuring he delivers transparent analysis and straightforward opinions that resonates with readers to get them thinking.