49ers interview former Jets coach Robert Saleh for DC post
Jan 9, 2025, 9:14 PM | Updated: 9:15 pm
(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers interviewed former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh for their vacant defensive coordinator opening on Thursday.
Saleh formerly was the defensive coordinator for the 49ers from 2017-20. He then left to coach the Jets and went 20-36 over three-plus seasons with New York before being fired with a 2-3 mark this season. He finished the season as a consultant for the Green Bay Packers.
San Francisco also interviewed Deshea Townsend for the position. He is currently the Detroit Lions defensive passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach.
The #49ers complete interview with Robert Saleh for vacant DC position.
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 9, 2025
Saleh, who turns 46 later this month, guided the 49ers’ defense to top-five finishes in total defense in 2019-20. San Francisco led the NFL by allowing just 169.2 passing yards per game in 2019.
Saleh reportedly is hoping to interview for head coaching vacancies with the Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Townsend, 49, played 13 NFL seasons, 12 of them for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1998-2009. He finished his career with the Indianapolis Colts in 2010.
Townsend won two Super Bowl rings with the Steelers.
Nick Sorensen was San Francisco’s defensive coordinator this season. According to coach Kyle Shanahan, Sorensen might be retained in a different role.
–Field Level Media
More on the San Francisco 49ers
Any notion the San Francisco 49ers were undecided about their future at quarterback was dispelled by general manager John Lynch on Wednesday.
Lynch made it clear the 49ers are fully committed to keeping Brock Purdy, who is eligible for a contract extension immediately. Purdy had 3,864 passing yards and 20 touchdowns in 2024 but San Francisco missed the playoffs after winning the NFC and finishing as runner-up to the Kansas City Chiefs last season.
“I think what we know about Brock is, he’s our guy,” Lynch said Wednesday seated to the right of head coach Kyle Shanahan at the team facility in Santa Clara, Calif.
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