Report: 49ers set to hire Robert Saleh as DC

Field Level Media|published: Fri 24th January, 02:17 2025

NFL: NFC Wild Card Round-Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles

Jan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers offensive consultant Robert Saleh on the sidelines during warmups against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Robert Saleh is set to take one of his former jobs, as he will become the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator, The Athletic reported on Thursday.

Saleh served as the New York Jets' head coach for three-plus seasons before he was fired in October after the team started 2-3. He wound up with a 20-36 record on the job, never leading the Jets to the postseason.

The 45-year-old Michigan native was the 49ers' defensive coordinator from 2017-20 -- the first four seasons of current San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan's tenure. The team reached the Super Bowl after the 2019 season.

After his ouster from the Jets, Saleh served as a consultant to the Green Bay Packers for the rest of the season.

Earlier this month, the 49ers fired defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen after he was on the job for just one season. San Francisco finished eighth in the NFL in total defense (317.4 yards per game allowed) but 29th in scoring defense (25.6 points per game allowed).

Saleh worked as a college assistant coach for Michigan State, Central Michigan and Georgia before breaking into the NFL coaching ranks as a defensive intern for the Texans in 2005. He remained in Houston through 2010, then was on the staff of the Seattle Seahawks from 2011-13 and of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2014-16.

The 49ers, coming off a Super Bowl appearance last season, slumped to a 6-11 record this season, finishing in last place in the NFC West.

--Field Level Media