How new 49ers DC Sorensen benefiting from Staley’s presence

SANTA CLARA — Coach Kyle Shanahan admitted that he had a good idea he was going to hire Nick Sorensen as 49ers defensive coordinator at the time he fired Steve Wilks. While he also interviewed Brandon Staley for the role, Shanahan determined Staley's best fit with the 49ers might be as a top assistant under Sorensen. Shanahan ended up hiring Staley with the title of assistant head coach. "It's been awesome for me," Sorensen said of Staley in his first media appearance in his new role. "He has experience as a coordinator. He has experience as a head coach, so he sees things holistically and knows how to build plans. "And then just getting him in here and spending extra hours and talking football with him. He's very bright. He's a humble guy who's smart and knows football, and that's been awesome and helpful for me." Staley was linebackers coach of the Chicago Bears under Vic Fangio before spending one season with the Los Angeles Rams as defensive coordinator. Staley was hired in 2022 as the Chargers' head coach, where he spent three seasons before getting fired with a 24-24 record. Sorensen said Staley has been involved in "pretty much everything" since coming to the 49ers in his...