SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers have reappointed Robert Saleh as their defensive coordinator on Friday night, following his unsuccessful run as head coach of the New York Jets.
Saleh was considered for several head coaching positions this off-season, including teams like Jacksonville, Dallas, and Las Vegas. However, after those roles were filled, he opted to return to the 49ers as a coordinator to assist in restoring a previously dominant defense that thrived during his first period with the team.
This marks Saleh’s return as the fourth defensive coordinator for San Francisco in as many years. Following Saleh’s departure, DeMeco Ryans took over in 2021 but left for a head coaching position with the Houston Texans after the 2022 season. Subsequently, Steve Wilks and Nick Sorensen each led the defense but were unable to sustain their roles for more than one season over the last two years.
Saleh originally joined the 49ers in 2017 as head coach Kyle Shanahan’s first defensive coordinator. His early seasons were challenging, but after the team drafted defensive end Nick Bosa in 2019 and began utilizing the “wide nine” defensive scheme, the unit gained momentum.
In the 2019 season, San Francisco advanced to the Super Bowl and managed to maintain a competitive edge the following year, despite Bosa being sidelined for most of the season due to a knee injury, which ultimately led to Saleh’s hiring by the Jets as head coach.
After being dismissed midseason this year, Saleh’s time with the Jets was marked by a solid defense. In his last two full seasons in New York (2022-23), the defense excelled, ranking first in passing yards allowed per game (178.9) and in yards allowed per play (4.7), while finishing second in total defense at 301.7 yards per game.
Conversely, the 49ers faced challenges this season under Sorensen’s leadership, as injuries plagued the defensive unit, hindering their ability to force turnovers, stop the run, and apply consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
San Francisco concluded the season ranked 29th in scoring defense, allowing an average of 25.6 points per game, and had the seventh-fewest turnovers in the league with just 17. Remarkably, the team recorded only two takeaways in the last nine games and allowed 40 or more points in consecutive games for the first time since 2015.
Additionally, the 49ers are actively seeking both an offensive coordinator and a special teams coordinator. Klay Kubiak, who specializes in passing games, is anticipated to be elevated to the offensive coordinator position, which has been vacant since Mike McDaniel left for the Miami head coaching job following the 2021 season.
