FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2020, file photo, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh talks to players on the sideline during the team's NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif. Saleh inherited one of the worst defenses in the league when he arrived in 2017 and helped turn it into a dominant unit that helped the Niners reach the Super Bowl last season and remain in contention this season despite the string of injuries on both sides of the ball. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker, File)
The 49ers interviewed the Jaguars new defensive coordinator before hiring Robert Saleh
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the 49ers interviewed former Green Bay Packers linebackers coach and new Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted late Thursday evening that the San Francisco 49ers interviewed Green Bay Packers linebackers coach and running game coordinator Anthony Campanile. This news came after Campanile was named the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator.
Between being the New York Jets head coach and being re-hired as the 49ers defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh was an offensive assistant with the Packers. Perhaps Campanile’s name came up during Saleh’s interviews, and the 49ers brass liked what they heard enough to bring in the former Packers assistant for further intel — whether about scheme, Saleh, personnel, etc.
The 49ers defense against the run was below their standard in 2024. Campanile helped the Packers finish third in yards per rush last year. He previously worked for Brian Flores in Miami before being retained by Mike McDaniel.
Like Jeff Hafley, Campanile coached defensive backs at Boston College. Sandwiched between Boston College and the Dolphins, Campanile spent a year working with Jim Harbaugh as Michigan’s co-defensive coordinator. That’s all been in the previous decade or so for the 42-year-old. His career overlap features the brightest football minds around.
We’ll see if any other interviews leak in the coming weeks. Campanile joins DeShea Townsend and Brandon Staley as the other candidates before the 49ers and Shanahan zeroed in on Saleh.
