49ers interview Broncos’ assistant for special teams coordinator opening
The 49ers interviewed a second candidate Monday for their special teams coordinator job: Chris Banjo.
Banjo, 34, was an assistant special teams coach this past season for the Broncos, who lost Sunday in a wild-card game in Buffalo. He joined the Denver coaching staff in 2023 after ending his playing career, working under special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica.
The former safety and special teams ace played for the Packers, Saints and Cardinals in an NFL career that spanned 2013-2023 after going undrafted out of Southern Methodist.
He is the second outside candidate to interview for the job after the 49ers announced Sunday that they had spoken to Jeff Modkins, a Lions special teams assistant.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said last week after firing three-year special teams coordinator Brian Schneider that former defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, who was removed from that job last week, could also be a candidate for the special teams position.
The 49ers also announced Monday they’ve interviewed Iowa State assistant Noah Pauley for their offensive coordinator’s job. Pauley, who was a receivers coach at North Dakota State while ex-49er Trey Lance was the quarterback, spent the past two season as Iowa State’s receivers coach and passing game coordinator.
Shanahan said last week that Klay Kubiak would officially become offensive coordinator after essentially filling the role with the 49ers last season. However, the NFL reportedly told the 49ers they needed to interview two minority candidates outside of their staff to fulfill Rooney Rule requirements before announcing a hire.
The 49ers announced late last week that they had interviewed former Jets coach Robert Saleh and Lions defensive backs coach DeShea Townsend for their defensive coordinator opening. Saleh held that job with the 49ers under Shanahan from 2017-2020.