It’s getting late in the offseason to make coaching moves, but the San Francisco have a new assistant head coach, according to a report from NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
The 49ers finished the 2025-26 season with a 12-5 record and second in the NFC West, according to NFL research. It was a strong showing, and the team maintained a solid offense and defense throughout the regular season, even though that didn’t get them to the big game.
But, the goal, of course, is to get to the Super Bowl. So, the 49ers are making moves with their coaching staff.
On Thursday, March 5, Pelissero reported that the 49ers have hired Matt Eberflus as their assistant head coach of defense, “per sources.” He adds that Eberflus, the former Bears head coach and most recently Cowboys defensive coordinator, “fills a key role vacated when Gus Bradley left for Tennessee.”
More sports news: Maxx Crosby Trade: NFL Insider Projects Where He’ll Land
“Interesting move after his time with the Bears. Let’s see how it works in San Francisco,” one follower said on X, responding to the news. “49ers fans I can speak for all Cowboy fans when I say you’ll absolutely love this guy. Congrats on a great hire.. keep him around for a long time,” another said.
Eberflus started his coaching career as a student assistant in 1992 at Toledo and got a gig in the NFL as the Cleveland Browns’ linebackers coach in 2009. From there, he became the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive coordinator in 2018 and the Chicago Bears’ in 2022. As the Bears’ head coach, he had a 14-32 record and no playoff appearances, according to Pro Football Reference research.
More sports news: Cowboys Suffer Major Blow in Maxx Crosby Trade Race: Report
After his time in Chicago, Eberflus went back to the Dallas Cowboys, where he coached from 2011-17, as their defensive coordinator. He was let go after one season.
