SANTA CLARA — Jeff Hafley oversaw the 49ers least productive unit this past season — perhaps the past three seasons — and although Kyle Shanahan did not indicate last week he’d search for a better defensive backs coach, he will now.
Ohio State announced Monday that Hafley has become its defense’s co-coordinator with Greg Mattison, formerly a Michigan assistant under Jim Harbaugh.
Hafley is not as bad a coach as last season’s stats suggest, specifically the lack of any interceptions among his cornerbacks and just two from the 49ers’ safeties.
The 49ers pass defense struggled mightily in the clutch last season, and a key factor was a lack of pass rush from the edge.