On Monday, the San Francisco 49ers declared that Brant Boyer, a veteran coordinator from the New York Jets, has been appointed to lead the Niners’ special teams.
This action follows the team’s dismissal of special teams coach Brian Schneider earlier this month. The 49ers, who battled to a 6-11 record and failed to reach the playoffs this season, merely a year after competing in the Super Bowl, encountered a notably poor year with their special teams. The Niners ended up at the bottom of the league in expected points added for special teams and ranked low in almost all efficiency statistics related to the kicking game.
The 53-year-old Boyer arrives in San Francisco after serving nine seasons as the special teams coordinator for the New York Jets. Throughout his time with the team from 2016 to the previous season, Boyer headed a special teams group that finished tied-for-second in total touchdowns (nine), second in blocked punts (eight), and tied-for-fifth in both special teams points scored (63) and opponent kickoff return average (21.8).
A significant problem for the 49ers special teams was the inconsistent play of second-year kicker Jake Moody, who made 5 out of 14 field goals from 40 yards or more in the last nine games following his return from an ankle injury.
With Boyer’s direction, two athletes — WR Braxton Berrios in 2022 and WR Andre Roberts in 2018 — received Associated Press First-Team All-Pro recognition as kick returners, and three players (CB Justin Hardee in 2023, Roberts in 2019, and K Jason Myers in 2019) participated in the Pro Bowl.
Before joining the Jets, Boyer served as an assistant special teams coach for the Indianapolis Colts for four seasons starting in 2012.
Regarding his NFL experience as a player, Boyer was first selected in the sixth round (177th overall) by the Miami Dolphins during the 1994 NFL Draft. Following his initial year in Miami, Boyer served as a linebacker and participated in special teams for the Jacksonville Jaguars (1995-2000) and the Cleveland Browns (2001-04).
Last Friday, the team revealed the appointment of Robert Saleh for a second term as defensive coordinator following his unsuccessful time as head coach of the New York Jets.