The San Francisco 49ers are considering Dave Merritt, the current defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, as a potential candidate for their vacant defensive coordinator position.
Merritt is the fourth individual known to be interviewed for the role, with previous candidates including Brandon Staley, Nick Sorensen, and in-house option Daniel Bullocks. The search for a new defensive coordinator comes after the 49ers’ defeat to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, which led to the dismissal of former defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. Merritt, 52, has been coaching the Chiefs’ defensive backs since 2019, contributing to the success of players like Charvarius Ward, who signed with the 49ers in free agency and earned Pro Bowl honors. While Merritt lacks experience as an NFL coordinator, he brings extensive coaching experience, having won five Super Bowl rings as a defensive assistant with the New York Giants and the Chiefs.
Notably, he served as a defensive backs coach for the Arizona Cardinals in 2018 under Wilks’ leadership.The 49ers’ search for a new defensive coordinator reflects Coach Kyle Shanahan’s quest for stability in the position, as he navigates his fourth defensive coordinator appointment in five seasons. Previous coordinators Robert Saleh and DeMeco Ryans departed for head coaching opportunities with other NFL teams.
