Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

49ers Reveal Key Interview for Special Teams

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Timm Hamm | Last updated Jan 15, 2025 3:19 PM ET

The San Francisco 49ers are making changes this offseason. A 6-11 finish that left them out of the postseason didn't please the fans or the front office.

One of the units that needs improvement is special teams. And coach Kyle Shanahan is taking steps to make that happen.

On Jan. 7, former special teams coordinator Brian Schneider was fired, and the club is looking for his replacement. On Tuesday, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, the team interviewed former Carolina Panthers coach Chris Tabor for the role.

Tabor ran the special teams unit in Carolina from 2022-23 and was named interim head coach when Frank Reich was fired. Tabor finished the season with a 1-5 record before being let go.

The 49ers have also reportedly interviewed Jett Modkins from the Lions and Chris Banjo of the Broncos.

Shanahan also indicated a possible demotion of former defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen to special teams coach if he was agreeable. That didn't happen.

Tabor has been in the league since 2011 but did not coach in 2024. If he's ready for the challenge, there are plenty of teams that could use his services. The 49ers are just one of them.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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