Former San Francisco 49ers assistant head coach Brandon Staley will be hired as the New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator under new head coach Kellen Moore, according to multiple reports.

Staley and Moore have history with one another. While serving as the Los Angeles Chargers’ head coach, Moore was Staley’s offensive coordinator in 2023.

Staley will be stepping into the defensive coordinator’s job for the second time in his career. He was wildly successful in his stint running the Los Angeles Rams’ defense in 2020, where his defensive unit gave up the least yards per game, fewest passing yards per game as well as the fewest points given up per game in the NFL.

After that successful season, Staley parlayed it into his first NFL head coaching opportunity in 2021 with the Chargers. However, his three seasons as a head coach produced just a 24-24 record. He was fired in December of 2023 after his Chargers suffered a 63-21 thrashing at the hands of the Raiders.

Staley worked with now-fired 49ers defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen during San Francisco’s disastrous 6-11 finish last season. Although Staley was considered for Sorensen’s job after the season, that role in San Francisco went to Robert Saleh.

Jaguars hire Rams’ Gladstone as GM >> The Jacksonville Jaguars hired Los Angeles Rams executive James Gladstone as their general manager, reuniting him with new coach Liam Coen.

Gladstone held the position of director of scouting strategy in L.A. since 2019. Coen and Gladstone spent four years together with the Rams (2018-20, 2022).

MLB

Yankees drop ban on beards >> The New York Yankees dropped their ban on beards, 49 years after it was imposed by owner George Steinbrenner, in a move aimed to improve player recruitment as the team tries to win its first World Series title since 2009.

Current owner Hal Steinbrenner, son of The Boss, announced the change before the team’s spring training opener.

“My dad was in the military. He believed that a team should look in a disciplined manner,” Hal Steinbrenner said during a news conference, flanked by general manager Brian Cashman. “Very important to my father, but again (for) my father, nothing is more important than winning and that’s in the back of my mind.”

George Steinbrenner announced the facial policy during spring training in 1976, mandating no long hair or beards — mustaches were allowed.

Hal Steinbrenner, who succeeded his father as controlling owner in November 2008, discussed the contemplated change with Yankees stars Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Gerrit Cole in one-on-one meetings. Steinbrenner then issued a statement Friday morning that “we will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward.”

Golf

Potgieter’s 61 good for 4-shot lead in Mexico >> Aldrich Potgieter showed his ability to shoot low in the Mexico Open, powering and putting his way to a 10-under 61 that gave the big-hitting South African a four-shot lead going into the weekend at Vidanta Vallarta.

Potgieter tied the course record and was at 16-under 126, four shots ahead of Stephan Jaeger (64) and Brian Campbell, who birdied his last hole for a second straight 65.

Tennis

Teenager Andreeva upsets Rybakina >> Teenager Mirra Andreeva became the youngest player to reach the Dubai Championships final after beating Elena Rybakina 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

The 17-year-old Andreeva will face Clara Tauson, who beat Karolina Muchova 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-3 in the other semifinal.