49ers to Bring Back Robert Saleh as Defensive Coordinator
January 25, 2025
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The San Francisco 49ers have been on a search for a new defensive coordinator after the team fired Nick Sorenson, following the 2024 season. Despite the team going through an exhaustive search, they have now brought back a fan-favorite coach.
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Reunion: After interviewing for three head coaching jobs, Robert Saleh is now officially returning to the #49ers as defensive coordinator, per sources.
Saleh impressed in interviews and now is back in a familiar place, with a chance to become a hot HC candidate again in 2026. pic.twitter.com/Jju2cu1qjj
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 25, 2025
Former 49ers defensive coordinator and former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh is heading back to the Bay Area.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 15: New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh looks on before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. Former Jets HC Robert… NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 15: New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh looks on before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. Former Jets HC Robert Saleh shown at Green Bay Packers practice.
Justin Ford/Getty Images
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Saleh had been making his rounds to interview for open head coach positions, including interviewing with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, and Dallas Cowboys. However, he revealed to 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan he would be open to returning with the 49ers if he did not land a head coach position.
Saleh was not hired, as the Jaguars hired Liam Coen, the Raiders hired Peter Caroll, and the Cowboys hired Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach.
Now, Saleh can return to a team with which he has had plenty of familiarity. The 49ers’ defense was in the top 10 while Saleh ran the unit from 2017 to 2020.
Saleh’s coaching and defensive prowess led to him landing a head coach position with the New York Jets, where he remained from 2021 to 2024. He was unceremoniously fired during Week 6 of the 2024 regular season.
Saleh would go on to be hired by the Green Bay Packers as a consultant, though he stated he would want to return to coaching in the 2025 season. The initial thought was he would go for defensive coordinator positions, but he garnered plenty of interest from teams needing a head coach.
With teams hiring their new head coaches, Saleh is back to run the defensive side of the ball with Shanahan.
The 49ers experienced a major Super Bowl slump, as the team finished with a 6-11 record after playing in the championship in 2023. San Francisco still had a formidable defense in 2024, but they still chose to move on from Sorenson.
With a poor season behind them, the 49ers can now look to getting back to the playoffs, and hopefully the Super Bowl. They are getting back one of the best defensive minds in the entire league.
There were plenty of options for coaches who could have helped turn the 49ers defensive back into a top 5 unit, but that can especially be true with Saleh back to running things.
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