Towards the end of last week, there was speculation that the San Francisco 49ers were considering hiring Steve Spagnuolo, the defensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs, for their own defensive coordinator position. However, the Niners were also eyeing another AFC coordinator.
Jeff Ulbrich, the defensive coordinator for the New York Jets, emerged as a viable option for the 49ers despite already being employed. Ulbrich has strong ties to the San Francisco area, having been born in San Jose, attended high school in Morgan Hill, and studied at the University of San Jose. He was also a former player for the 49ers, drafted by them in 2000 and serving as a linebacker until 2009.
Reports suggest that the 49ers expressed interest in hiring Ulbrich, but the Jets were unwilling to let him go. Although there were discussions between the two teams, no formal interview request was made by the 49ers. It seems the Jets would have demanded draft compensation to release Ulbrich, and even then, his desire to leave was uncertain.
While the 49ers did consider Ulbrich as a potential candidate, it appears that he was never close to being hired as their defensive coordinator. With the 49ers having since filled their coordinator and assistant head coach positions, any further speculation about candidates is now irrelevant.