The Atlanta Falcons officially introduced their new defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich, on Monday morning. The 47-year-old coach was welcomed with a press conference where the media had the chance to ask questions and get to know the newest addition to the Falcons’ coaching staff.

Potential 49ers defensive coordinator candidate Jeff Ulbrich was hired by the Atlanta Falcons for the same role.

The Atlanta Falcons are hiring Jeff Ulbrich as their new defensive coordinator, removing another highly qualified candidate from the market.

Later on Thursday, then-Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen had a change of heart, the Jacksonville Jaguars quickly moved to hire him as head coach and Saleh, who told Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch that he’d return to the 49ers if he didn’t get a head-coaching job, stayed true to his promise.

The San Francisco 49ers’ list of potential defensive coordinator candidates appears to be short, and it got shorter Saturday when NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported the Atlanta Falcons were set to hire Jeff Ulbrich as their new defensive coordinator.

Now back for his second stint calling plays for the Atlanta Falcons' defense, coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is different -- but similar in important ways.

The 49ers already nailed the first step to bouncing back next season by hiring Robert Saleh to rebuild the defense.

Lake had never been a defensive coordinator or a defensive playcaller prior to 2024. It's likely that the Falcons bring in someone with more experience doing that job this offseason. Former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will also be interviewed, per an NFL Network report.

The San Francisco 49ers will look different next season. And maybe not just a little bit. After the firing of defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. are looking for new leadership on the defensive side of the ball.

The 49ers snagged a third-round comp pick in the 2025 draft when DeMeco Ryans and Ran Carthon were both hired in the same offseason. Ryans went to the Houston Texans as their head coach. Carthon went to the Tennessee Titans as their general manager.

Saleh was fired as the Jets’ coach five games into this season and is now back with the 49ers, where he made his name in the NFL.

The Atlanta Falcons have scheduled a third interview ... most recently with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, for the position next week, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Wilks is no stranger ...