After moving on from special teams coordinator Brian Schneider, the 49ers have started looking at replacements. After meeting with Lions assistant special teams coach Jett Modkins, the team has added two more candidates to the fray.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the 49ers have interview Broncos assistant special teams coach Chris Banjo for their ST coordinator vacancy. The long-time special teams ace ended his playing career following the 2022 campaign, and he quickly found post-career work in Denver. He’s spent the past two years serving as the Broncos assistant ST coach, and now he could take another career leap in San Francisco.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 49ers also interviewed Chris Tabor for the job. Most recently, the veteran coach served as the Panthers interim head coach following the firing of Frank Reich. Before that, he spent a season-plus as the Panthers ST coordinator, a title he also held in stints with the Bears and Browns.
More coaching and front office notes from around the NFL…
- The Packers have parted ways with defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich, per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. Rebrovich just took on the role this past season after previously serving as Green Bay’s OLBs coach. Brian Gutekunst hinted that changes could be coming, as the GM recently attributed the team’s DL struggles to scheme instead of personnel. The team isn’t wasting any time seeking a replacement, as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Packers will interview Jets DL coach Aaron Whitecotton for the job. Whitecotton spent the past four seasons in the role, and he previously had stints with the 49ers, Bills, and Jaguars.
- The Giants have made some changes to their defensive coaching staff, firing defensive passing game coordinator/DB coach Jerome Henderson, per Garafolo. The Giants have also moved on from safeties coach Michael Treier. Henderson joined the organization as part of Joe Judge‘s initial Giants staff in 2020. As Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post notes, Brian Daboll‘s first coaching move was to retain Henderson, but the DB coach later drew some ire for his initial support (and later critiques) of Deonte Banks. Per Art Stapleton of USA Today, Marquand Manuel is a name to watch as a potential replacement for one of the vacant secondary roles. Manuel would bring plenty of experience, having once served as the Falcons defensive coordinator and most recently as the Jets safeties coach.
- One last firing to pass along. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that the Bears have let go of director of football analytics Krithi Chandrakasan. Following stints in Kansas City and Jacksonville, Chandrakasan was brought to Chicago by Ryan Poles in 2022.