The San Francisco 49ers hired Robert Saleh to be their defensive coordinator, the team announced Friday.
This is Saleh’s second stint with the 49ers after he served in the same role from 2017-20. Saleh also interviewed for head coaching vacancies with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, and Las Vegas Raiders during this cycle.
Saleh planned to become the 49ers’ defensive coordinator unless he got a head coaching gig, according to The Athletic’s Michael Silver. He reportedly didn’t consider any other defensive coordinator job.
Saleh was considered a favorite for the Jaguars head coaching position and was supposed to fly out for a second interview Friday, The Athletic reports. However, he canceled his flight after Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen re-engaged talks with the Jaguars on Thursday.
The 49ers struggled on defense in 2024 under first-year coordinator Nick Sorensen, ranking 29th in average points allowed per game. San Francisco finished 6-11 and missed the playoffs.
Saleh was the New York Jets head coach from 2021-24, accumulating a 20-36 record with no playoff appearances. The club fired the 45-year-old after posting a 2-3 record to start this campaign.
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