▶ New York hires San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as its next coach.
Saleh’s defenses were in the top five in league over past two seasons
JETS
The New York Jets were searching for a leader, someone who could bring a frustrated, playoff-starved franchise back to respectability.
They think they found their guy in Robert Saleh.
The Jets reached an agreement in principle with the popular and energetic San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Thursday night to hire him as their head coach. Saleh replaces Adam Gase, who was fired on Jan. 3 after going 9-23 in two seasons.
The 41-year-old Saleh, believed to be the first Muslim head coach in NFL history, emerged as a favorite for the Jets’ job when he was brought in for a second — and this time, in-person — interview Tuesday night and those discussions extended into Wednesday. He was the first of the nine known candidates New York interviewed remotely to meet with chairman and CEO Christopher Johnson, team president Hymie
Elhai and general manager Joe Douglas at its facility in Florham Park, N.J.
Saleh left the Jets and met with Philadelphia, which fired Doug Pederson on Monday. And New York also had an in-person meeting with Tennessee offensive coordinator Arthur Smith on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
After Smith left without a deal, New York had internal discussions and opted to hire Saleh.
“YESSS SIRRRRRRRRRR,” an excited defensive tackle Quinnen Williams wrote on Twitter.
Saleh, recognized as an energetic leader who is well liked by his players, had been the 49ers’ defensive coordinator under Kyle Shanahan since 2017, overseeing San Francisco’s defense that ranked No. 2 overall on the way to the Super Bowl last season.
The 49ers ranked fifth in overall defense this season despite season-ending injuries to pass rushers Nick Bosa — the 2019 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year — and Dee Ford, as well as defensive linemen Solomon Thomas and Ezekiel Ansah. While San Francisco missed the playoffs, Saleh’s work with a banged-up and short-handed defense made him a popular candidate among the teams looking for a coach.
“The (at)nyjets got a great one!” 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman tweeted. “Congrats to them!”
Saleh, the son of Lebanese parents, is the second minority coach to be hired by the Jets in the past six years and first since Todd Bowles, who is Black, in 2015. He’s the fourth active minority coach in the NFL, joining Miami’s Brian Flores, Washington’s Ron Rivera and Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin.
Saleh, who first interviewed remotely with the Jets last Friday, also spoke with Detroit, Atlanta, Jacksonville and the Los Angeles Chargers.
New York pounced, though, after Douglas promised the team would “cast a very wide net” in its search. Both Johnson and Douglas spoke about finding a leader, a CEO -type of coach who would oversee the entire operation of the team and help re-establish a culture and identity for the franchise.
The 20th coach in franchise history, Saleh beat out Smith, Kansas City offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Carolina offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Buffalo offensive coordinator
Brian Daboll, Indianapolis defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, New Orleans defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn, former Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis, and Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley.
Falcons: Atlanta agreed to terms with Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to become the team’s head coach. The Falcons announced the agreement on Friday. Smith held a virtual interview with the team on Monday and he also interviewed with the New York Jets and Detroit Lions. The 38-year-old Smith has served on the Tennessee staff for 10 seasons, including two as offensive coordinator.
Bears: The NFL suspended defensive linemen Mario Edwards Jr. for the first two games next season for violating the league’s policy against performanceenhancing substances. Edwards, who is not under contract for 2021, will be able to participate in preseason practices and games.
Broncos: Linebacker Von Miller is under investigation by police in a Denver suburb. Parker Police Department spokesman Josh Hans confirmed the investigation, but couldn’t provide additional details. Hans wrote in an email that, “if the investigation determines a crime has occurred, charges will be submitted to the DA’S Office for their review.” The Broncos released a statement saying they were “aware of an investigation involving Von Miller and are in the process of gathering more information.” Miller missed the 2020 season with an ankle injury he suffered just before the opener.
Browns: Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio was activated from the COVID-19 list after missing last week’s wild-card win over Pittsburgh.
Note: The conditional reinstatement of wide receiver Josh Gordon has been rescinded by the NFL, and Gordon is once again under suspension.