BREAKING: 49ers Confirms Robert Saleh as their defensive coordinator
Many great coordinators struggle as head coaches, and sometimes returning to their roots can lead to remarkable success. Robert Saleh’s brief tenure as head coach of the New York Jets ended after just five weeks this season. While he’s currently consulting for the Green Bay Packers, he’s still weighing his next full-time opportunity. If he doesn’t land another head coaching role, he may consider a return to a coordinator position, which could present a compelling opportunity.
Saleh first gained recognition as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, a position he held for four years before taking the head coach job with the Jets. His time with the Jets has been marked by inconsistency, culminating in his departure earlier this fall. Interestingly, the 49ers haven’t fared much better, having cycled through three coordinators in the four years since Saleh left, with Nick Sorensen recently being let go after just one season. This sets up the possibility of a reunion.
If Saleh is unable to secure another head coaching position, returning to the 49ers could be a natural fit. The Niners had a rough season, finishing at the bottom of the NFC West and missing the playoffs after coming so close to winning their sixth Super Bowl title the previous year. While injuries played a role, their defense, in particular, took a noticeable step back, and they could benefit from bringing Saleh back.
For Saleh, a return to the 49ers could be an opportunity to rebuild his reputation after a difficult stint with a struggling franchise. He wouldn’t be the first coordinator to return to a former team after a less-than-successful head coaching stint—Josh McDaniels did so with the New England Patriots, where he went on to win three Super Bowls after his first failed attempt with the Denver Broncos.
While Saleh is still in the running for current head coaching openings, if those opportunities don’t materialize, returning to a coordinator role with the 49ers might be a smart move to reignite his career.