I just want to get back together with you folks, hello. I know we got together yesterday, but I wasn’t sure which way to go with a few things yesterday, so I wasn’t ready to talk about them just yet. I’ve been thinking about this for a few nights, trying to come up with some difficult choices. However, I dismissed [former defensive coordinator] Steve Wilks of his responsibilities this morning. I’m going to switch around at defensive coordinator at the end. Very difficult choice because it doesn’t really tell anything about Steve’s character as a guy or as a football coach. He’s the perfect man we’ve always wanted. He coaches football really well. However, considering our team’s direction and current status from a scheme perspective and other aspects, as well as considering the entire year and the past few days, I felt very strongly that this was the right course of action for our company. And even though it was a decision I didn’t want to make, I had to make it after realizing that I believed taking a different path would be better for the organization. I told him this morning as a result. I apologize for not being able to inform you all yesterday; however, I am now certain. That is true. I wanted to personally inform everyone of you. I’ll now take questions on it.
Is it related that he entered the building from the outside and was unfamiliar with the method that you guys had been using successfully for a long time before this?
Indeed, it was the most difficult aspect. It was a challenge, I knew. It was difficult. Losing [DeMeco [Ryans], the head coach of the Houston Texans, and [Robert Saleh, the head coach of the New York Jets], the year before was extremely difficult. However, we had made a commitment to the players who had already been a part of the system, namely our linebackers and D-Line. They had spent so much time playing in it. So, I wanted to avoid having to make every adjustment possible. And introducing Steve, who was amazing in his loyalty and his attempt to achieve it, but it just didn’t work out. And although I was hurting, I had no choice but to do this.
So now, do you search inside the structure or do you go outside for individuals who are knowledgeable about that system?
We’ll carry out both. There are some excellent coaches here. Without a doubt, I’ll peek outside as well. I have a lot of tasks to complete in preparation for the interview process. However, I had to really invest a lot of effort in this decision because it wasn’t a simple one. I’ll begin working on the interview process and other related tasks now that I’ve had that talk with Steve this morning, in an effort to determine who would be the best fit for our group.
The first coordinator you had who kind of had a different experience working with DBs and stuff like that was Steve. Do you believe that there was a disconnect of some kind because there wasn’t a linebacker who could effectively link the front and the back there? Was that a factor in this case?
Indeed, I believe it was. That isn’t the only reason, in my opinion; his background includes DBs. All I can think of is our style of playing linebacker and similar positions. And the manner in which [LB] Dre [Greenlaw] and [LB] Fred [Warner] have coached it here throughout the years. Although there isn’t a single right way to do things, you want to connect the dots. Steve was always trying to do that. That’s beyond a doubt. However, it was unnecessary to make it more difficult because of his past and how it came to be with us. I thought it would be better if we took a different course.
Have you ever discussed your position as defensive coordinator with Johnny Holland, the linebackers coach, or defensive line coach Kris Kocurek?
Indeed. I’ve known those guys for a long time. Thus, discuss a wide range of topics.
What comments has Kocurek made? Does he enjoy his job as a defensive line coach?
or does he find being a DC interesting in that regard?
Although I am aware of Kris’ major, I believe it is always a possibility for him. I am aware of his passion. D-Line piques his interest. He rarely ventures outside of that. However, Kris is an extremely talented coach with great potential.
Would you consider Daniel Bullocks, the defensive backs coach, for the position?
“I will speak with everyone of these men. Really, I haven’t said much. I just finished doing this with Steve an hour ago, so I haven’t had time to meet with every single one of these guys. However, they will all get a chance. I won’t name names this early on anyone specifically. However, D.B. has performed admirably for us here throughout the years. I hold great regard for him as a coach.”
Are you set on sticking with the current system, or are you open to hiring a new defensive coordinator who has his own?
“Given the circumstances, I’m determined to look for what we think will provide the Niners the best opportunity in 2024. And I do think that’s the smartest thing to do for a group of men that have been playing at a high level and doing certain things a certain way for a while. However, I would never hesitate to do so if I came across anything that I could be convinced of and should really believe in as a better course of action. I’m not narrow-minded in any manner, therefore. I’ll investigate every avenue. I’m not merely attempting to modify things, though, when you have some excellent players who have performed at a high level and in a particular manner. I tend to believe that the things they have been doing well and that have brought us this far should be kept up. However, I must ensure that I select the most qualified individual to take that kind of leadership role within our group. That anybody I pick to do this for us will uphold the standards of how we have done it and that I firmly believe we will only become better at it.
Before speaking with us, did you get a chance to speak with any of the players?
Not at all. I’ve had several conversations with the players. Overall, my interactions with them are going very well. But no, I can’t call them and tell them here since they’re not in the building. Things have a way of getting out, so I just wanted to make sure I told you guys about it before it appeared in an unexpected place.
In terms of personality, what are you searching for? Robert Saleh and DeMeco Ryans were clearly rather animated on the sidelines. I’m not sure if you realized that affected your choice in any way.
That’s not relevant to my choice at all. Now watch Saleh; he’s not that enthusiastic. No, coaching has nothing at all to do with that kind of enthusiasm on the sidelines.
Some of your other coaches are reportedly moving on to other chances. Could you please confirm which coaches will indeed be departing to seek new positions?
Yes, James Cregg, the former assistant offensive line coach, was hired by the Raiders to coach the offensive line. Darryl Tapp, the former assistant defensive line coach at Washington, is the D-Line coach. Additionally, Anthony Lynn, a former running backs coach and associate head coach, will coordinate the run game at Washington. Additionally, I think we’ve already discussed Klint Kubiak, the former offensive passing game specialist.
