Nick Sorensen is a person. NFL, new San Francisco 49ers coordinator’s coaching background
For the 2024 NFL season, the San Francisco 49ers have filled the job of defensive coordinator. Nick Sorensen, who now coaches nickel cornerbacks and is a defensive pass game specialist, will be elevated to this job. He replaces Steve Wilks, who was let go two days following the 49ers’ defeat by the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58.
Concurrent with Sorensen’s appointment, Brandon Staley, a former head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, was hired to serve as assistant head coach. Anthony Lynn left to join the Washington Commanders before the 2019–20 season, leaving an opening in that position.
What you should know about the 49ers’ new defensive coordinator is provided below.
Who is Nick Sorensen?
After serving as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator for two seasons, 45-year-old Sorensen is moving up to the position.
In 2013, Sorensen began working as a coach for the Seattle Seahawks. He worked for the team for a total of eight seasons, serving in three distinct capacities: secondary coach (2017-2020), assistant defensive backs coach (2016), and assistant special teams coach (2013-15).
In 2021, he worked for the Jacksonville Jaguars as the special teams coordinator. A team’s offensive, defensive, and special teams units are evaluated on a play-by-play basis using the advanced metric known as DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average), which takes opponent and situation into account. The Jaguars’ 2021 special teams were the second worst in the league according to DVOA.
Nick Sorensen’s NFL experience
When Michael Vick arrived at Virginia Tech in 1999, Sorensen switched from quarterback to defense back while still a student-athlete. He continued to play on that side of the ball in the NFL, signing with the Miami Dolphins in 2001 as an undrafted free agent.
Before the season, the Dolphins waived him, and he signed with the St. Louis Rams. After playing there for two whole seasons, he signed a contract with the Jaguars in 2003. During his four years in Jacksonville, Sorensen led the special teams each year. He was waived by the Jaguars before the 2007 season due to an injury sustained in the 2006 campaign.
The following four seasons were spent with the Cleveland Browns, where he enjoyed his greatest season to date in 2008. He was a standout on special teams once more and recorded career highs in tackles (20) and sacks (0.5). Sorensen did not sign a free agent contract with another team after his 2010 season ended.