The San Francisco 49ers, the past couple of seasons, have been a very strong team. This team had its identity. That identity was defense. The 49ers dominated that side of the ball, and it is what ultimately led to their super bowl appearance. This was all due to the leadership and coaching of Robert Saleh. Saleh is a young and upcoming star coach, and the 49ers knew that it was only time before he left for another job. That time has come as Robert Saleh is now the new head coach of the New York Jets. The question is, though, how will the 49ers survive without their defensive guru?
Leaving the 49ers In A Good Spot
Robert Saleh finally got his 1 in a million shot at a head coaching job he deserves. The great news for the 49ers is, though, Saleh did not leave them high and dry with no backup. He knew that he was possibly leaving and groomed one of the coaches underneath of him and taught him everything.
That coach is new San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator, DeMeco Ryans.
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan did not seem too worried when Saleh left because he already knew they had the perfect replacement. Ryans played ten seasons in the NFL and has only been coaching for a few now. He actually played underneath Saleh at one point and he went on to be Saleh’s linebacker coach.
Ryans’ coaching abilities helped him develop linebacker Fred Warner into an All-Pro player. He also helped develop newly drafted Dre Greenlaw, who ended up making huge plays for the 49ers in their quest to lock in home-field advantage in the playoffs. This allowed the team to trade their young stud linebacker Kwon Alexander and not skip a beat.
What Is Next For the 49ers?
With the team under new coaching staff on defense, they have to figure out what to do next. The NFL draft is coming up, and there are a lot of decisions to be made for a new and young coach in this league. Luckily, as previously stated, Robert Saleh left teaching Ryans everything that he knows about coaching. He allowed Ryans to pick his brain and learn from the defensive guru himself. This allows Ryans to take what he knows on his own and implement Saleh’s old philosophy and routine.
During the NFL Draft, Ryans has to make the decision on how to take this defense. Of course, he has to communicate with other coaches, management, etc. in order to make any decisions. If there is a player that he wants with their pick, the 49ers are willing to be all ears to the young coach.
The direction of the new look Niners will definitely be one to keep an eye for in the draft.
Hope For the Future
It has been very clear that the team and the organization are all behind coach DeMeco Ryans. The players on the defensive side of the ball have nothing but great things to say about Saleh and their new coach. It is a decision that has everyone ready and anxious to start the season.
All eyes will be on the new coach to see how he handles the pressure and how he handles himself. Not many people know much about position coaches in the NFL. Just the main coaches such as Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, and Defensive Coordinator. This means that people never really got to see how Ryans carried himself on the field or especially in the locker room with the other guys.
The San Francisco 49ers look forward to this season. They get everyone back healthy and ready to go for this upcoming season. Time will tell how the “rook” will do.