The San Francisco 49ers have hired Robert Saleh as their new defensive coordinator after a 16-day search. Saleh, who previously served as the Niners’ defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020, is returning to San Francisco after a three-year tenure as the head coach of the New York Jets. The 49ers had been looking for stability at the position and began their search shortly after parting ways with former coordinator Nick Sorensen. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Sorensen’s departure in early January, although the team hopes to keep him in a different role.
Shanahan emphasized that he wanted an experienced candidate who could adapt to challenges and find solutions on the fly. While he was open to a potential change in defensive scheme, Shanahan was focused on finding someone who could work well with the team’s current roster and situation. The 49ers quickly interviewed Saleh, who had been working as a consultant for the Green Bay Packers after his time with the Jets, but Saleh also interviewed for head coaching positions with the Raiders, Cowboys, and Jaguars, which delayed the 49ers’ decision.
Despite some uncertainty, Saleh’s return to the 49ers became more likely after other coaching opportunities faded. He had been a candidate for the Jacksonville Jaguars head coach position, but when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator emerged as a strong contender, it cleared the path for Saleh to reunite with San Francisco. Saleh had a successful run with the Niners, building one of the NFL’s top defenses, particularly during the 2019 and 2020 seasons when the defense ranked among the best in several key categories.
After Saleh’s departure, the 49ers promoted DeMeco Ryans to defensive coordinator, who also led the team’s defense to success during his tenure. However, the defense has struggled in recent years under Steve Wilks and Nick Sorensen, with the 49ers finishing near the bottom in several defensive rankings. Shanahan noted that the difficulty of replacing Ryans was partly due to the team’s recent deep playoff runs, which left the Niners with fewer options in terms of available candidates.
This year, however, after a disappointing 6-11 record, the 49ers had more time to evaluate defensive coordinator candidates. Despite interviewing several individuals, Shanahan ultimately chose Saleh, who is returning to the organization that first made his name in the NFL. Saleh has a strong relationship with Shanahan, and he brings a teaching style that includes respectful challenges, which will complement Shanahan’s leadership and vision for the team.
