According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports and 247 Sports, Ray Brown will be hired by the San Francisco 49ers as their new cornerbacks coach.
Brown will now make his first coaching move to the NFL after serving as Boston College’s secondary coach for the 2024 season.
Robert Saleh, who was just appointed the team’s defensive coordinator for a second term, is reorganizing the defensive staff, and this hiring is part of that effort.
Brown was the cornerbacks coach at Washington State for two seasons before to becoming the coach at Boston College. In addition, he was a coach at Troy, Utah State, and Abilene Christian, among other schools.
Brown has been a coach for 14 years, working with nine different collegiate institutions.
For the last 12 seasons, he has mostly focused on defensive backs. In 2024, Boston College tied for top position in the ACC with 17 interceptions, thanks in part to his leadership. During his time there, Brown also played a significant role in recruiting defensive backs.
The San Francisco 49ers’ secondary could benefit with Brown joining the coaching team. Since 2020, when Tony Oden was the club’s cornerbacks coach, the team has not had a specialized cornerbacks coach.
Daniel Bullocks, a defensive passing game expert, and assistant Andrew Hayes-Stoker have been in charge of the secondary in recent years. Brown’s presence will enable the cornerback group to receive more specific instruction.
Brown will have the chance to collaborate closely with important players like 2024 standout Renardo Green and Deommodore Lenoir, who recently inked a five-year contract extension.
Last season, the 49ers’ secondary had potential, and Brown’s skill at training defensive backs may help sustain and enhance the group’s output. His collegiate success, especially in leading Boston College’s defense, indicates that he might be a good fit for San Francisco’s defensive backfield.
Aggressive ball-hawking tactics, situational awareness, and disciplined coverage approaches are all emphasized in Brown’s coaching style.
Throughout his career, he has demonstrated his capacity to nurture emerging talent. He will be expected to use the same degree of skill at the professional level by the 49ers.
Brown’s job will be crucial in improving the secondary unit’s technique and consistency since Robert Saleh’s defensive strategy requires excellent cornerback play.
He also has a good eye for spotting and developing potential, as seen by his college football recruiting skills. As the 49ers try to maintain their defensive success over time, Brown’s skills may be useful.
Although Ray Brown’s job has not been made official by the company, it is possible that he may replace Brandon Staley, who is leaving.
Last season, Staley worked closely with the nickel backs while serving as assistant head coach. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Staley is now a finalist for the defensive coordinator position with the New Orleans Saints.
Saleh’s return and Brown’s hiring serve as more confirmation of the 49ers’ 2025 defense revamp plan. The 49ers want to make the appointment public in the coming weeks, despite not having officially announced Brown’s joining yet.
