The Dallas Cowboys hired Brian Schottenheimer as their next head coach. Schootenheimer will be tasked with putting together a staff to help the Cowboys reach the playoffs again.
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the Cowboys are “expected to hire” Nick Sorensen as their special teams coordinator. Sorenson spent last season as the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator.
“The (Cowboys) are expected to hire Nick Sorensen as their special teams coordinator, per sources,” Pelissero wrote on X. “Sorensen spent last season as the (49ers) defensive coordinator. But he has special teams experience, most recently with the (Jaguars) in 2021.”
Schottenheimer and Sorensen have worked together in the past. They were both on Pete Carroll’s staff with the Seattle Seahawks. They both also served on Urban Meyer’s staff with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Sorenson began his NFL coaching career as a special teams assistant with the Seahawks. He filled the position during the Seahawks Super Bowl XLVIII victory over the Denver Broncos.
Sorensen was the 49ers’ defensive coordinator last season but was not brought back. The 49ers ranked 29th in points allowed. Sorenson’s most recent experience as a special teams coordinator came in 2021 with the Jaguars. The Cowboys led the league in kickoff return touchdowns and punt return touchdowns.
All-Pro returner Kavontae Turpin is a restricted free agent. Brandon Aubrey will be back next season, but Turpin’s contract situation could determine the ceiling of the Cowboys special teams unit.
Sorensen also played in the NFL. He spent 10 seasons as a defensive back and played for the St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns.