Robert Saleh seems to be heading again to a well-recognized place.
The ex-Jets head coach is anticipated to turn out to be the following defensive coordinator of the 49ers, The Athletic reported Thursday evening.
If a deal is accomplished, it is going to convey Saleh, 45, again to San Francisco, the place he was the defensive coordinator from 2017-20.
Saleh was among the many candidates for the Jaguars’ head teaching job, and he was anticipated to have a second interview Friday.
Nevertheless, someday after the Jaguars fired normal supervisor Trent Baalke, the crew secretly met with Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who had initially pulled himself out of the operating for the Jacksonville head teaching job.
Now, although, Coen is again in play, and with that, Saleh canceled his flight to Jacksonville, per The Athletic.
Saleh was additionally a candidate for the Raiders and Cowboys, interviewing with Dallas in particular person final week.
He helped remodel the crew’s protection throughout his first stint in San Francisco, which culminated in a Tremendous Bowl look in the course of the 2019-20 season.
Simply two seasons after the 49ers have been ninth-worst within the NFL in yards allowed per recreation (351.6), they ranked second (281.8) in the identical class as they received the NFC crown.
Saleh parlayed his defensive prowess into the Jets head teaching job in 2021, however the identical success didn’t observe.
After three straight shedding seasons and a 2-3 begin in 2024, Saleh was fired and changed with Jeff Ulbrich on an interim foundation.
Saleh then labored as an offensive advisor for the Packers for the remainder of the 12 months following his ouster.
This previous season additionally represented a down 12 months for the 49ers, who went 6-11 and completed final within the NFC West — only one season faraway from one other Tremendous Bowl loss.
Within the days after the season, the crew created its defensive coordinator want when it determined to take away Nick Sorensen after one 12 months, although the 49ers hoped to retain him in a unique capability.
Nevertheless, NBC Sports activities Bay Space reported Thursday that Sorensen shouldn’t be anticipated to stick with the group.
