49ers hire Kris Kocurek to coach defensive line

Fooch’s update: The 49ers made the hiring official. Kyle Shanahan commented on it.

The San Francisco 49ers have handled their first piece of coaching business this offseason. The team is hiring Kris Kocurek to serve as defensive line coach, according to NFL reporter Adam Caplan. We learned on Sunday that the team was not bringing back Jeff Zgonina after he spent two seasons in the role.

Kocurek spent last season coaching the Miami Dolphins defensive line. Kocurek was set to join Adam Gase with the New York Jets, according to reporter Alex Marvez, but it would appear the 49ers swooped in with their own offer.

Here’s a look at Kocurek’s resume in reverse chronological order:

2018: DL coach, Miami Dolphins
2009-2017: DL coach, Detroit Lions
2008: DL coach, Stephen F. Austin State
2007: DL coach, West Texas A&M
2006: DL coach, Texas A&M-Commerce
2004-2005: Graduate Assistant, Texas A&M-Kingsville
2003: Student assistant, Texas Tech

His work with the Lions is of note given Martin Mayhew’s work in the 49ers front office. While Mayhew likely isn’t hiring coaches, he probably had a good recommendation from his time with the Lions.

Here are some links I came across related to Kocurek in Miami.

New voice of Dolphins’ defensive line: Kris Kocurek

Kris Kocurek Dolphins OTA press conference

Dolphins defensive line will change its approach under Kris Kocurek

Respect between new Miami Dolphins DL coach Kris Kocurek, Ndamukong Suh runs deep

Camp Insider: Rotation On The Defensive Line