Both coordinator spots are now filled for the 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers announced that they’ve named former New York Jets special teams coordinator Brant Boyer as their special teams coordinator. Boyer has held the same title with the Jets since 2016. Prior to that, he was an assistant on special teams with the Indianapolis Colts from 2012-2015.
Boyer is also a former NFL player. The Miami Dolphins drafted him in the sixth round in 1994. He played linebacker and special teams for 11 seasons in the NFL.
With those Colts teams, punter Pat McAfee and kicker Adam Vinatieri both earned first-team All-Pro honors, including nods to the Pro Bowls. The 49ers struggled mightily in 2024 in those two areas.
The Jets were abysmal on special teams for the first half of the season but, per DVOA, finished No. 1 in the NFL during the second half of the season. Kyle Shanahan was vocal about finding somebody who not only has built game plans but can adjust. It sounds like that wasn’t an issue for Boyer in New York.
The 49ers were often on the wrong side of special teams’ fakes and miscues, and that’s been the case in most seasons under Kyle Shanahan. Hopefully, Boyer can get most of those mistakes under control.
Jacob Cowing and Deebo Samuel were excellent returners, so he has that going for him. But the kicking game cost the 49ers time and time again. We’ll see what Boyer’s plan is when it comes to fixing the kicking woes.
The pivot from Nick Sorensen to Boyer is fascinating. I’d be curious to know if it came down to how each coach felt about the personnel and whether they wanted to bring back a specific player, or if Boyer’s life-long experience gave him the edge.