Return to the West for Robert Saleh. Dismissed from his position as head coach of the Jets during the season, the coach returns to where he was just before his escapade to New York.
The 49ers announced the hiring of Saleh as defensive coordinator. The San Francisco franchise had fired Nick Sorensen after just one season at the head of the defensive squad.
Robert Saleh has therefore already been the defensive coordinator of the 49ers, from 2017 to 2020. He arrived at the same time as Kyle Shanahan in the Bay. The peak of his stint was the 2019 season, when San Francisco ranked 2nd in yards allowed. Performances which allowed him to increase his rating until he obtained the main position with the Jets.
Robert Saleh flirted with the Jaguars
Fired by the Jets in early October, Saleh has obviously maintained good standing in the league, since the Cowboys, Raiders and Jaguars interviewed him for their head coaching position. The first two didn't go very far, but ESPN reports he was well in the running for the Jacksonville job.
The leaders of the Niners therefore had to be patient. Once the twists and turns of the Liam Coen saga were over, Saleh was once again the favorite to lead San Francisco's defense.
So that will be the case. He will find an environment, staff and some familiar players.
