The Dallas Cowboys are continuing to shape their coaching staff under new Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer and are reportedly set to hire former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen as their special teams coordinator.

Schottenheimer and Sorensen share a history of working together, having spent four consecutive seasons coaching with the Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars.

From 2018 to 2020, Schottenheimer served as the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator, while Sorensen worked as the defensive backs coach.

In 2021, they reunited with the Jaguars, where Schottenheimer handled quarterback coaching and passing game coordination, and Sorensen took on his first significant role as the special teams coordinator.

Afterward, Schottenheimer transitioned to an offensive role with the Cowboys, while Sorensen shifted into a defensive position with the 49ers.

Sorensen worked two seasons as a defensive assistant and defensive passing game specialist before being promoted to defensive coordinator last year.

His struggles in that role were largely attributed to numerous injuries among 49ers defensive players.

Schottenheimer seems to recall Sorensen’s experience as the Jaguars’ special teams coordinator and sees him as a suitable addition for the Cowboys.

However, Sorensen’s impact in significant roles has been questioned.

While the 49ers ranked near the top of the league with just 317.4 opponent yards per game, they also allowed 25.6 points per game, tied for the fourth-worst in the NFL.

Similarly, the Jaguars’ special teams ranked 31st in Defense-adjusted Value Over Average during Sorensen’s tenure, according to RJ Ochoa of SB Nation.

Fortunately, Sorensen will join a Cowboys team already strong in special teams.

The unit includes standout kicker Brandon Aubrey and returner Kavontae Turpin, who both had impressive seasons.

Aubrey made 85.1% of his field goal attempts, including a league-long 65-yarder, and finished second among kickers with 150 points.

He also converted all 30 extra-point attempts, though his field goal percentage ranked 23rd, as the Cowboys often let him attempt longer kicks.

Turpin, in his third season, had an exceptional year, returning one kickoff and one punt for touchdowns in 45 combined attempts, solidifying his value as a key player on special teams.