Veteran defensive line coach Kris Kocurek will be joining the San Francisco 49ers coaching staff, according to NFL insider Adam Caplan.
Veteran DL coach Kris Kocurek, who coached the #Dolphins defensive linemen last season, will be joining the #49ers as their defensive line coach, source said. He's known in the coaching business as one of the best DL coaches in the NFL.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) January 14, 2019
The vocal Kocurek will replace former defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina, whom the 49ers recently fired. Kocurek is known for being one of the loudest individuals on the practice field.
"I've got to watch where I stand on the field with him," Dolphins defensive coordinator Matt Burke said last summer. "Sometimes he's right there, and I get an earful. ... People think it's an act, and it's not. That's just who he is."
Kocurek, a former NFL defensive tackle who appeared in one game for the Tennessee Titans in 2001, spent this past season coaching the Miami Dolphins defensive line. He held the same role with the Detroit Lions from 2010 through 2017. Kocurek was an assistant defensive line coach with Detroit in 2009. Before that, he was a defensive line coach for Stephen F. Austin State, West Texas A&M, and Texas A&M-Commerce.
The Seattle Seahawks made Kocurek a seventh-round draft pick in 2001. His short-lived NFL career came to an end due to multiple shoulder injuries.
The hire will fill one vacancy on the 49ers coaching staff. Defensive backs coach Jeff Hafley recently departed to become the co-defensive coordinator with Ohio State. San Francisco also fired their head strength and conditioning coach, Ray Wright, and head athletic trainer, Jeff Ferguson.
Quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello is interviewing with the Denver Broncos for their vacant offensive coordinator job.
Update: The 49ers officially announced the hire on Tuesday.
"Kris has become one of the most respected defensive line coaches in the NFL over the last decade and has a proven track record of helping his players maximize their abilities," said Shanahan via a statement. "When he recently became available, we acted aggressively to add him to our staff because his philosophy, and the style of play he coaches, fits our scheme and personnel very well. We're excited to get him in the meeting rooms and onto the field with our players.
"I want to thank Jeff for his hard work and dedication to the 49ers over the last two seasons, as his contributions helped to build the foundation of both our defense and team as a whole. He is not only a good football coach, but also a good man, and we wish him the best personally and professionally."
