This week, the Dallas Cowboys announced that Mike McCarthy would no longer serve as the team's head coach, a role he held for the past five seasons. The Cowboys ended the season with a disappointing 7-10 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
The coaching change could have significant ripple effects across the NFL as teams with staff vacancies evaluate both McCarthy and members of his former coaching staff.
One such team is the San Francisco 49ers, who are in need of filling three coordinator positions. While the team is widely expected to promote Klay Kubiak to offensive coordinator, head coach Kyle Shanahan's initial announcement violated NFL rules requiring an open search for coordinator roles. As a result, the 49ers are conducting a formal search, but Kubiak's promotion is still likely.
That leaves two key vacancies: replacing Nick Sorensen, who was relieved of his defensive coordinator duties but may remain with the 49ers in another capacity, and hiring a new special teams coordinator after the firing of Brian Schneider.
One name being floated for the special teams role is Dallas Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel. Peter Panacy of Niner Noise sees Fassel as a strong candidate for Shanahan's coaching staff.
"John Fassel served under McCarthy at AT&T Stadium when the two joined the Cowboys in 2020," Panacy wrote. "Since that point, Fassel's special teams units have largely performed well beyond expectations, and most NFL circles view him as one of the top assistants for this vital-but-overlooked third phase of the game."
Fassel's special teams unit ranked third in the league in DVOA (4.6%) this past season, trailing only the Detroit Lions (5.4%) and Pittsburgh Steelers (5.3%). The 49ers have already interviewed Lions assistant special teams coach Jett Modkins for their vacancy, making it reasonable to assume Fassel might also draw interest.
Fassel has extensive experience, having served as a special teams coordinator for the Oakland Raiders (2008–2011) and the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2012–2019), as well as assistant special teams coach for the Baltimore Ravens (2005–2007).
In contrast, Schneider's special teams unit with the 49ers ranked 31st in the NFL (-5.6%), ahead of only the Tennessee Titans (-8.4%).
The 49ers have also interviewed Denver Broncos assistant special teams coach Chris Banjo, whose unit ranked fourth in the league in DVOA (4.4%). Additionally, Sorensen, who has experience as a special teams coordinator with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021, is expected to interview for the role.
Fassel's proven track record and the underperformance of the 49ers' special teams in recent years make him a compelling candidate as Shanahan looks to rebuild his coaching staff following a disappointing 6-11 finish.