The San Francisco 49ers face a long offseason centered around ensuring that 2024's disappointing result isn't repeated. This team dealt with significant injuries that help explain the underwhelming performance though there are obvious areas in which the franchise can improve.
With a number of key players coming up for contract extensions and trade rumors circulating around guys like WR Deebo Samuel, the coming months are filled with uncertainty as head coach Kyle Shanahan tries to rebuild the roster toward competitiveness.
To help facilitate this transition past the frustrating campaign, San Francisco reportedly made a new coaching hire that'll help a struggling defense.
The #49ers are set to hire Boston College’s Ray Brown as cornerbacks coach, sources tell @CBSSports/@247Sports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 15, 2025
Helped BC post its first seven win regular season since 2018 this past season. Previously worked at Washington State, where he coached Panthers 2024 draft pick Chau… pic.twitter.com/hqaER0P9AU
49ers Hire Ray Brown as Defensive Backs Coach to Start Offseason
According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, the 49ers are hiring Ray Brown from Boston College to serve as the organization's new defensive backs coach. This move not only offers the roster a fresh voice in the secondary, but it also specifically helps a recent high draft pick.
After trading with the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, San Francisco selected Florida State cornerback Renaldo Green. He started seven games and appeared in all 17, showing promise by allowing a mere 88.2 passer rating when targeted in coverage.
That said, Green's inexperience showed down the stretch. During the final three weeks of the season, the 49ers allowed 7.2 yards per attempt, a mark that would've ranked 28th over the course of the year. It's not representative of the unit's overall performance, though does signal that the group faltered in the biggest of moments.
Brown is a promising coach who helped develop guys like Chau Smith-Wade, who earned the league’s third-best defensive grade among cornerbacks in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus. His unique approach and abrasive nature lends itself well to this roster, and hopefully the injection of a new voice can help turn the tides.
Either way, it's obvious that Shanahan wants to prevent the same mistakes that plagued this group in 2024. Hopefully, his decision proves to be a wise one.