The 49ers are losing senior defensive assistant/run game specialist James Bettcher to the Cincinnati Bengals, according to a report from Ian Rapaport and Tom Pellisero of the NFL Network.
Rapoport tweeted Saturday morning that Bettcher will be joining the Bengals as a linebackers coach. The 49ers ranked seventh in the NFL against the run last season, allowing 103.5 yards per game.
Bettcher, 43, leaves the 49ers after one season with the team. He joined the 49ers in 2021 after stints as a defensive coordinator with the Arizona Cardinals (2015-2017) and New York Giants (2018-2019). Bettcher also spent two seasons as an outside linebackers coach with the Cardinals (2013-2014) and one as an outside linebackers coach with the Indianapolis Colts (2012), which was his first NFL job after spending eight seasons in the college ranks.
Bettchter is the latest of a number of coaches to have made a move from the 49ers following the 2021 season. Others include former offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel (who is now with the Miami Dolphins as the head coach), special teams coordinator Richard Hightower (Chicago Bears), wide receivers coach Wes Welker (Miami Dolphins), and assistant head coach/tight ends coach Jon Embree (Miami Dolphins).