Asauni Rufus is in his first season as a 49ers offensive quality control coach. He joined the 49ers after spending the 2021 season as a defensive quality control coach at Vanderbilt University.
Last season, Vanderbilt's defense was led by LB Anfernee Orji, who finished the season with a team-high 93 tackles, one forced fumble and one pass defensed. LB Ethan Barr and S Dashaun Jerkins each registered three interceptions on the year.
Rufus went to Vanderbilt following two seasons at the University of Notre Dame as a special teams analyst (2020) and graduate assistant (2019). The 2020 Irish special teams saw freshman RB Chris Tyree lead the ACC in kickoff return yards (456), as he averaged 20.7 yards per return. In 2019, K Jonathan Doerer made each of his 57 extra points while connecting on 17 of 20 field goals attempts, including two from 50-or-more yards. His 108 points scored on the season were the most in a single season in Notre Dame history. LS John Shannon earned the Mannelly Award following the 2019 season, given to the top snapper in the country.
A native of Bakersfield, CA, Rufus spent five years (2014-18) at the University of Nevada, where he was a defensive back for the school. he appeared in 47 games (46 starts) and finished with 340 tackles, 12 passes defensed, nine forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and three interceptions and earned Honorable Mention All-Mountain West honors for three straight seasons (2016-18). Rufus is married to his wife, Whitney.
