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Jaguars Must Solve 49ers Defense to Stay Competitive in Week 4

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, September 28th 2025 at 13:23 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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Jacksonville Jaguars Add Former 49ers Talent to Coaching Staff Amid Coaching‑Tree Rumblings

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ latest front‑office shake‑up has once again spotlighted the intricate web of coaching relationships that span the NFL. At the heart of the story are two newly hired assistants—Grant Udinski and Liam Coen—both of whom cut their teeth under the tutelage of San Francisco 49ers legend Robert Saleh. The moves, announced in late May 2023, have ignited speculation about the growing influence of the 49ers’ coaching tree in the league’s coaching market.

Grant Udinski: From 49ers Special Teams Aide to Jaguars’ New Coordinator

Grant Udinski’s path to Jacksonville began in the 49ers’ special‑teams unit, where he served as a senior assistant from 2018 to 2021. During that stint, he worked closely with Robert Saleh, then the 49ers’ special‑teams coordinator, learning the intricacies of coverage, punt returns, and kickoff strategies that would become the foundation of his coaching philosophy. In 2022, Udinski moved to the Buffalo Bills as a special‑teams analyst—a brief interlude that kept him in the 49ers’ orbit through the Bills’ own defensive schemes, many of which were influenced by Saleh’s early work with the 49ers.

In a statement released by the Jaguars’ front office, GM David McPherson highlighted Udinski’s “proven ability to develop game‑changing return specialists and a disciplined coverage unit.” The move is seen as a direct effort by the Jaguars to inject fresh special‑teams talent into a unit that has historically underperformed. Udinski will assume the role of Special‑Teams Coordinator, working under head coach Mike Shula, who himself has a history of bringing in staff with strong special‑teams pedigrees.

Liam Coen: Defensive Line Coach with 49ers Roots

Liam Coen’s coaching résumé is equally tied to the 49ers. He joined the team in 2019 as a defensive line assistant, later being promoted to the full position of defensive line coach. In that capacity, Coen helped shepherd the line into one of the league’s most formidable front‑pockets—a feat that earned him a reputation for both aggressive pressure tactics and disciplined run‑stopping techniques.

Coen’s time with the 49ers overlapped with Saleh’s stint as the defensive line coach in 2017. In a rare interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Saleh credited Coen with “bringing a fresh perspective to the line, especially in terms of hand‑technique drills.” After the 49ers’ coaching staff saw a shuffle in 2022, Coen was let go but remained in the league’s radar thanks to his strong résumé.

In Jacksonville, Coen will take over as the Defensive Line Coach, a role that places him at the helm of a unit that has historically been inconsistent. McPherson noted that Coen’s “innovative drills” and his “ability to communicate complex schemes to rookies” will be crucial as the Jaguars look to retool their defensive front.

Robert Saleh: The 49ers Connection and a Broader Coaching Legacy

While Udinski and Coen are the focus of the Jaguars’ latest hires, the article also dedicates a section to the coaching icon Robert Saleh, underscoring his role in shaping the careers of both men. Saleh, now the head coach of the Buffalo Bills, began his NFL journey as a graduate assistant with the 49ers in 2010. He climbed the ranks, becoming the 49ers’ special‑teams coordinator in 2015 before moving on to the Bills as a defensive line coach in 2017, a position that ultimately paved the way for his promotion to defensive coordinator in 2018 and then head coach in 2020.

Saleh’s influence on Udinski and Coen is evident. In a LinkedIn post shared by the 49ers’ coaching department, Saleh praised Udinski’s “keen eye for coverage” and Coen’s “dedication to line discipline.” The article links to the Bills’ official bio for Saleh, offering readers a deeper dive into his coaching milestones, including the 2021 AFC Championship appearance and his signature “Run or Pass” defensive scheme.

Linked Articles and Additional Context

The article pulls in two key links that provide context for the hiring decisions:

1. “Jacksonville Jaguars Hire Grant Udinski as Special Teams Coordinator” – A press release from the Jaguars’ website that details Udinski’s past achievements, including a 2019 season where the 49ers’ special teams ranked 6th in the NFL in kickoff coverage. The release also highlights Udinski’s previous experience with the Buffalo Bills and his tenure as a special‑teams analyst.

2. “Liam Coen Joins Jaguars as Defensive Line Coach” – A separate article that quotes Coen on his coaching philosophy. In it, Coen speaks about his experience working with Saleh and how those lessons have informed his approach to player development.

Both links underscore the Jaguars’ intent to capitalize on the 49ers’ well‑documented coaching pipeline. The articles also reference a Sports Illustrated feature on the 49ers’ coaching tree, noting that the team has produced several head coaches across the league—including former 49ers staffers who went on to helm teams like the Denver Broncos and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Why It Matters

For Jacksonville, the addition of Udinski and Coen signals a strategic pivot toward revamping two of the team’s most volatile units—special teams and the defensive line. For the league, the moves demonstrate how coaching networks continue to shape personnel decisions. The 49ers’ influence has permeated beyond their own sidelines, reaching teams as far afield as Jacksonville, which now hosts two of the 49ers’ most promising assistants.

Moreover, the article raises an interesting narrative about Robert Saleh’s coaching lineage. As a Bill’s head coach who began his career in the 49ers’ system, Saleh serves as a living testament to how coaching philosophies can propagate across franchises. His work with Udinski and Coen exemplifies this migration, showing that the 49ers’ coaching ethos—characterized by aggressive yet disciplined play—continues to resonate in other NFL markets.

Bottom Line

The Jaguars’ latest staffing moves illustrate a broader trend: NFL teams increasingly recruit talent from successful coaching ecosystems. By bringing in Grant Udinski and Liam Coen, the Jaguars are not just filling vacancies—they’re aligning themselves with a philosophy that has already proven successful under the 49ers’ banner. Whether these hires translate into on‑field improvement remains to be seen, but the move is a clear indicator of the 49ers’ enduring influence on the league’s coaching landscape.