49ers Considering Kris Richard & Tony Oden As Possible Replacement For Joe Woods

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported Thursday that the 49ers are considering Kris Richard as a potential replacement for passing-game coordinator and DBs coach Joe Woods, who is set to take over as the Browns’ defensive coordinator. 

“Joe Woods, the secondary coach, he’s done a fantastic job,” Rapoport said, via 49ersWebzone.com. “He’s expected to become the Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator. From what I understand, among the candidates being considered to replace Woods are former Cowboys passing-game coordinator for defense, Kris Richard.

“Remember, he coached a similar system with the Dallas Cowboys, and certainly, that would add some heft, a little more heft, to this defense.”

In addition to Richard, Rapoport reports that the 49ers are also considering former Dolphins secondary coach Tony Oden as a possible replacement for Woods.

Richard, 40, began his coaching career with the Seahawks back in 2008 as a graduate assistant. He worked his way up to defensive in 2015 and spent the three seasons in charge of the Seahawks’ defense before parting ways in 2017. 

The Cowboys later hired Richard as their defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator. Richard’s contract with the Cowboys expired this offseason.