49ers Hire Veteran Defensive Backs Coach Jerry Gray

Gray reunites with 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris after three seasons with the Falcons

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The San Francisco 49ers are adding veteran defensive backs coach Jerry Gray to their coaching staff, according to a report from CBS Sports. Gray, who has nearly 30 years of NFL coaching experience, was the assistant head coach/defense for the Atlanta Falcons over the past three seasons.

Why it matters

The hiring of Gray represents a reunion with 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who was previously the head coach of the Falcons. Gray's extensive experience coaching defensive backs could help bolster the 49ers' secondary as the team looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season.

The details

While the exact role Gray will have with the 49ers is unclear, his hiring represents a significant addition to the coaching staff. Gray was a four-time Pro Bowl defensive back during his nine-year playing career, and he has served as a defensive coordinator with both the Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills. His familiarity with Morris and the defensive scheme should help ease his transition to the 49ers.

  • Gray was the assistant head coach/defense for the Atlanta Falcons over the past three seasons.
  • Gray is joining the 49ers' coaching staff in February 2026.

The players

Jerry Gray

A veteran NFL defensive backs coach with nearly 30 years of experience, including stints as a defensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills.

Raheem Morris

The current defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, who previously served as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

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What they’re saying

“The 49ers are hiring veteran defensive backs coach Jerry Gray, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reports.”

— Matt Zenitz, CBS Sports Reporter (CBS Sports)

What’s next

The 49ers will look to integrate Gray into their defensive coaching staff as they prepare for the 2026 NFL season.

The takeaway

The addition of Jerry Gray, an experienced and respected defensive backs coach, could provide a boost to the 49ers' secondary as the team aims to rebound from a disappointing 2025 campaign and return to the playoffs.