San Francisco 49ers: 3 assistants who could become head coaches
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers Defensive Line Coach Kris Kocurek
He might have a few hurdles to overcome in the next few years, but it wouldn’t be overly shocking to see San Francisco’s defensive line coach, Kris Kocurek, wind up getting his own head coaching gig somewhere down the line.
Kocurek, of course, came aboard in 2019 and replaced former D-line coach Jeff Zgonina. And it wasn’t too hard to notice the kind of impact Kocurek had with one of the Niners’ strongest units.
This, per NFL.com’s Jim Trotter:
"That matter-of-factness is central to what makes Kocurek so effective. He is clear and concise in what he expects from his players, hence his call and hourlong talk with each of them after he was hired. He wanted them to understand exactly what he expected of them at that point of the offseason as well as going forward. Many of his philosophies, including the wide-nine system he installed, were learned from Jim Washburn, his position coach with the Tennessee Titans. But Kocurek understands the game is played between the ears as well as the white lines. It’s why he likes to make his players uncomfortable."
Kocurek’s intense personality is aimed at getting the most out of his players. And as a result, following a 48-sack campaign in 2019, the 49ers D-line is considered the best in the league. It’s not just five former first-round NFL Draft picks either.
Trotter also admitted Kocurek doesn’t have aspirations to become a coordinator or head coach, which could be true. Yet continued success from this unit, along with another possible San Francisco coaching pry-away, could push Kocurek’s name up the ranks and into possible consideration for a head coaching gig down the line.