The 49ers released their coaching staff for 2025, and Brian Griese was surprisingly not on it. Here's why.
The San Francisco 49ers released their final coaching staff on Feb. 26, including notable changes underneath head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Perhaps the biggest surprise was Brian Griese, who served as Shanahan's quarterbacks coach since 2022 and helped mentor Brock Purdy, was no longer listed on the coaching staff.
This might have come as something of a shock. Griese, a former quarterback who gained more publicity as a TV analyst before joining the Niners, was viewed as instrumental in Purdy's development, and the two had developed quite the rapport since the latter took over starting duties late his rookie season.
However, in light of other notable sweeping changes to Shanahan's staff from earlier this offseason, including the dismissal of coordinators Nick Sorensen and Brian Schneider, one might have wondered why Griese wasn't sticking around either.
Turns out, it's an understandable reason.
Brian Griese opted to step away from football
According to a report from the San Francisco Chronicle's Eric Branch, Griese opted to step away from the NFL.
Speaking from the NFL Scouting Combine, general manager John Lynch confirmed as much, citing "family" as the primary reason for Griese's departure:
#49ers GM John Lynch said former QB coach Brian Griese made a "family decision" to step away from coaching for now.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) February 26, 2025
"He had given it some thought on the front end and at the time he gave us a three year commitment. He's a very principled guy... I think family and certain other…
Whether this is a short- or long-term decision is anyone's guess, but it also helps explain why Griese turned down an interview opportunity with the New York Jets for their head-coaching vacancy earlier this offseason.
Related story: 49ers coaching pipeline appears set after Gus Bradley hire
In his stead, the 49ers named Mick Lombardi as their new quarterbacks coach.
Lombardi spent 2024 with the Niners as a senior offensive assistant, following two years as the Las Vegas Raiders' offensive coordinator. He also served on San Francisco's staff under multiple head coaches from 2013 through 2016.
Read more from Niner Noise
manual