49ers To Hire Ray Brown as Cornerbacks Coach, Strengthening Defensive Staff
San Francisco 49ers head coach Robert Saleh is continuing to build his defensive coaching staff, with the latest addition being Boston College secondary coach Ray Brown as the team’s new cornerbacks coach, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.
Ray Brown Joins 49ers’ Coaching Staff
Brown replaces assistant head coach Brandon Staley, who was recently let go after working with the 49ers’ secondary. Brown, a former cornerback at East Central University, graduated in 2009 and has since built a strong coaching résumé, serving as a defensive backs coach for seven different college programs.
Most recently, Brown worked under former Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien at Boston College, which may have put him on Saleh’s radar. His wealth of experience in developing young defensive backs will be crucial for San Francisco’s secondary.
Key Role: Developing 49ers’ Young Cornerbacks
Brown’s primary task will be developing the 49ers’ young cornerbacks, particularly Renardo Green and Darrell Luter Jr. Green showed immense promise during the 2024 season, while Luter Jr. has yet to receive significant playing time since being drafted in 2023.
Additionally, Brown could play a pivotal role in the 49ers’ draft strategy. Having worked at the college level for over a decade, he possesses valuable insight into the top defensive back prospects. His knowledge could assist Saleh, Kyle Shanahan, and John Lynch in evaluating talent for the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.
Potential Draft Influence: Scouting Boston College Talent
Brown’s connections at Boston College may also be beneficial as the 49ers look to strengthen key positions. Two notable Boston College prospects—edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku and offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo—are projected as Day 2 picks in the NFL Draft. With the 49ers needing reinforcements at edge rusher and offensive tackle, Brown’s firsthand knowledge could be an asset in the scouting process.
As Saleh continues to shape his defensive coaching staff, Brown’s expertise in developing cornerbacks and evaluating talent could play a significant role in San Francisco’s defensive success moving forward.
| Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Liverpool | 28 | 20 | 7 | 1 | 66 | 26 | 40 | 67 |
| 2 |  Arsenal | 27 | 15 | 9 | 3 | 51 | 23 | 38 | 54 |
| 3 |  Nottingham Forest | 27 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 44 | 33 | 11 | 48 |
| 4 |  Man City | 27 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 53 | 37 | 16 | 47 |
| 5 |  Chelsea | 27 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 52 | 36 | 16 | 46 |
| 6 |  Newcastle | 27 | 13 | 5 | 9 | 46 | 38 | 8 | 44 |
| 7 |  Bournemouth | 27 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 45 | 32 | 13 | 43 |
| 8 |  Brighton | 27 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 44 | 39 | 5 | 43 |
| 9 |  Fulham | 27 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 40 | 36 | 4 | 42 |
| 10 |  Aston Villa | 28 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 40 | 45 | -5 | 42 |
| 11 |  Brentford | 27 | 11 | 5 | 11 | 48 | 43 | 5 | 38 |
| 12 |  Crystal Palace | 27 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 35 | 33 | 2 | 36 |
| 13 |  Tottenham | 27 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 53 | 39 | 14 | 33 |
| 14 |  Man United | 27 | 9 | 6 | 12 | 33 | 39 | -6 | 33 |
| 15 |  West Ham | 27 | 9 | 6 | 12 | 32 | 47 | -15 | 33 |
| 16 |  Everton | 27 | 7 | 11 | 9 | 30 | 34 | -4 | 32 |
| 17 |  Wolves | 27 | 6 | 4 | 17 | 37 | 56 | -19 | 22 |
| 18 |  Ipswich | 27 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 26 | 57 | -31 | 17 |
| 19 |  Leicester | 27 | 4 | 5 | 18 | 25 | 61 | -36 | 17 |
| 20 |  Southampton | 27 | 2 | 3 | 22 | 19 | 65 | -46 | 9 |