The San Francisco 49ers are leaving no stone unturned in their search for a Special Teams Coordinator who can help elevate their struggling special teams unit. The team recently interviewed Chris Banjo, an assistant special teams coach with the Denver Broncos, according to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo.
Although Banjo is relatively new to coaching, having only entered the field in 2023, he’s already made a significant impression. Following a 10-year NFL playing career, Banjo quickly transitioned to coaching. His playing journey began as an undrafted rookie signing by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2013. Banjo went on to play for the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, and Arizona Cardinals, before retiring after the 2022 season.
In 2023, Banjo joined the Denver Broncos as their assistant special teams coach under Ben Kotwica. Despite not having played directly under Kotwica, Banjo does have a key connection to Denver through the team’s defensive coordinator, Vance Joseph. Joseph served as the defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals during Banjo’s entire tenure with the team.
Banjo’s expertise in special teams is undeniable, with over 2,400 special teams snaps logged throughout his career. While he was primarily listed as a defensive back, Banjo’s contributions to special teams were a key part of his NFL success. In 2020, Banjo played a career-high 436 defensive snaps under Joseph, nearly matching the total number of defensive snaps he played in the rest of his career combined.
The 49ers’ decision to interview Banjo could signal a shift toward bringing in a fresh perspective for their special teams, especially after relying on veteran coaches like Richard Hightower and Brian Schneider during head coach Kyle Shanahan’s tenure. While hiring a coach with just one year of experience may seem like a gamble, the 49ers may feel it’s a risk worth taking. Given their recent struggles with special teams, Banjo’s deep experience in this area could provide the rejuvenation the unit desperately needs.
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