The San Francisco 49ers were quick to fill in the void vacated by former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh who is now the new head coach of the New York Jets.
The Niners didn't have to look far and beyond as they promoted inside linebackers coach DeMeco Ryans to be the new defensive coordinator. Run game coordinator Mike McDaniel, who was a sought-after candidate, opted to stay with the team and was promoted to be the new offensive coordinator, per NFL‘s Ian Rapoport.
#49ers are officially promoting ILBs coach DeMeco Ryans to defensive coordinator and run game coordinator Mike McDaniel to offensive coordinator, source said. Ryans replaces Robert Saleh, while Mike LaFleur’s departure to NYJ creates the opening for McDaniel (who was in demand)
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 18, 2021
Saleh has been with the 49ers since 2017 where he served as the defensive coordinator until 2020. After establishing one of the league's best defensive teams in recent years, Saleh eventually gained interest from a handful of teams to be their new head coach. He was recently signed to a five-year contract to handle a Jets team that concluded the 2020 season with a 2-14 record.
Ryans will then be slotted in the position vacated by Saleh for the upcoming season. After his playing career was over, the two-time Pro Bowler opted to have a career in coaching where he started as the defensive quality control coach of the Niners back in 2017.
Ryans was then promoted to be the team's inside linebackers coach in 2018 and held the position until 2020 before being elevated to be the team's new defensive coordinator.
Joining Saleh in Florham Park for next season would be former 49ers passing game coordinator Mike LaFleur. He started his tenure in San Francisco as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach from 2017 to 2018. After four years with the team, he will now move on to be the Jets' offensive coordinator under Saleh in 2021.
Replacing LaFleur as the team's offensive coordinator would be former Niners run game coordinator Mike McDaniel. At age 37, McDaniel has already accumulated significant experience in the league after working with several NFL teams in the past namely the Denver Broncos, Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns, and the Atlanta Falcons.
The 49ers are hoping that the new pieces in Kyle Shanahan's coaching staff will be able to help put the team back in contention moving forward.
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