Matt Eberflus Assistant HC of Defense | Page 2

NYniner85 · 2026-03-05T12:08:03-08:00

The 49ers have hired Matt Eberflus as their assistant head coach of defense, per sources. Eberflus — the former Bears head coach and most recently Cowboys defensive coordinator — fills a key role vacated when Gus Bradley left for Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/x58ngjOc5r— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 5, 2026

Mar 5, 2026 at 6:02 PM

#16

raywm3
Veteran
Posts: 1,510

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by raywm3:
I threw up in my mouth when I found this out

Why? He has almost 30 years of coaching experience and was a very well regarded LBs coach. He's not the head coach nor is he the play caller so he'll be a helper to Morris like Bradley was for Saleh. I don't see the issue.

I stand by my comment. Would you be happy if we hired Wilkes back in the same role?

Mar 5, 2026 at 7:34 PM

#17

pillageDatazz
Veteran
Posts: 5,620

Originally posted by lamontb:
Him and Morris should make a solid combo.

This!

Doesn't feel like a drop off from the Saleh / Bradley combo... might be better at some point with these two in the lab / on game day

Mar 5, 2026 at 7:43 PM

#18

pillageDatazz
Veteran
Posts: 5,620

Originally posted by DrEll:
Has he coached with Raheem before ? Do their philosophies match ? Or is this another "break glass in case of emergency" hire if Raheem gets another HC gig at some point ?

Shanny just saw the opportunity to get another guy in there with a ton of experience to collaborate with a new DC

Wise move

I actually think Jonny Holland (if interested) could step up to be DC or KJ Wright in a few years when Morris gets poached

Mar 6, 2026 at 2:58 PM

#19

TopDogBerkeley
Veteran
Posts: 524

Originally posted by pillageDatazz:
...when Morris gets poached

You typically do not get a third chance as a head coach, however, he is still young so if he can get us to a top three defense in multiple years then there is a chance.

Mar 6, 2026 at 3:10 PM

#20

ninersrule4
Veteran
Posts: 22,338

Originally posted by raywm3:

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by raywm3:
I threw up in my mouth when I found this out

Why? He has almost 30 years of coaching experience and was a very well regarded LBs coach. He's not the head coach nor is he the play caller so he'll be a helper to Morris like Bradley was for Saleh. I don't see the issue.

I stand by my comment. Would you be happy if we hired Wilkes back in the same role?

Funny because the 49ers had a top 10 defense under Wilks still. After watching the players since his departure I'm more inclined to think they simply are not that good of players vs Wilks sucked as much as people claim here.

Mar 6, 2026 at 3:37 PM

#21

pillageDatazz
Veteran
Posts: 5,620

Originally posted by TopDogBerkeley:

Originally posted by pillageDatazz:
...when Morris gets poached

You typically do not get a third chance as a head coach, however, he is still young so if he can get us to a top three defense in multiple years then there is a chance.

I agree. However, he's now part of the Shanny tree

and like you mentioned, he's still young and if he delivers a top notch D for more than a year, I believe he'll get another shot

Mar 6, 2026 at 5:05 PM

#22

Yeti
Veteran
Posts: 455

Originally posted by TopDogBerkeley:
You typically do not get a third chance as a head coach, however, he is still young so if he can get us to a top three defense in multiple years then there is a chance.

I dont think Moris has ever had a top 10 defense

Mar 6, 2026 at 5:20 PM

#23

DaleGribble
Veteran
Posts: 4,147

Originally posted by raywm3:

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by raywm3:
I threw up in my mouth when I found this out

Why? He has almost 30 years of coaching experience and was a very well regarded LBs coach. He's not the head coach nor is he the play caller so he'll be a helper to Morris like Bradley was for Saleh. I don't see the issue.

I stand by my comment. Would you be happy if we hired Wilkes back in the same role?

No because Wilkes sucked ass as DC at every stop Eberflus has actually been a quality DC in this league the two aren't remotely comparable.