SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Report: 49ers set to hire Robert Saleh as DC

Jan 23, 2025, 11:16 PM | Updated: Jan 24, 2025, 9:31 am

Robert Saleh is set to take one of his former jobs, as he will become the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator, The Athletic reported on Thursday.

Saleh served as the New York Jets’ head coach for three-plus seasons before he was fired in October after the team started 2-3. He wound up with a 20-36 record on the job, never leading the Jets to the postseason.

The 45-year-old Michigan native was the 49ers’ defensive coordinator from 2017-20 — the first four seasons of current San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan’s tenure. The team reached the Super Bowl after the 2019 season.

After his ouster from the Jets, Robert Saleh served as a consultant to the Green Bay Packers for the rest of the season.

Earlier this month, the 49ers fired defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen after he was on the job for just one season. San Francisco finished eighth in the NFL in total defense (317.4 yards per game allowed) but 29th in scoring defense (25.6 points per game allowed).

Saleh worked as a college assistant coach for Michigan State, Central Michigan and Georgia before breaking into the NFL coaching ranks as a defensive intern for the Texans in 2005. He remained in Houston through 2010, then was on the staff of the Seattle Seahawks from 2011-13 and of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2014-16.

The 49ers, coming off a Super Bowl appearance last season, slumped to a 6-11 record this season, finishing in last place in the NFC West.

–Field Level Media

More NFL coverage on Sactown Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders are naming Pete Carroll as their next head coach, multiple media outlets reported Friday.

Per ESPN, Carroll agreed to a three-year deal with a fourth-year team option. NFL Network reported that other potential candidates have been informed by the Raiders that Carroll is the team’s new head coach.

By joining the AFC West, Carroll will resume a long rivalry with Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. The latter previously coached the San Francisco 49ers while Carroll was manning the sideline with the Seattle Seahawks.

Read More:

Reports: Raiders to name Pete Carroll head coach

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