Jets’ Saleh staying connected to oversee all aspects of team
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) >>Robert Saleh is sitting in on the New York Jets’ defense, offense and special teams meetings one screen at a time.
The first-year head coach has made a point of overseeing all aspects of his squad, not just his specialty: the defense. Saleh wants to have his finger on the pulse of his entire operation — the sort of CEO-type approach the Jets preferred when they were searching for their new on-field leader in January.
“Today, I spent time in the offensive room,” Saleh said before practice Sunday. “I’ve got a little convenient deal where I can watch them all from my office. I don’t want people to coach differently just because I’m in there. So I get an opportunity to watch anybody I want. So today, I spent a little bit more time with the offense.”
While physically being in meetings remains an option, Saleh also keep tabs on every position group with the help of technology. The Jets’ meeting rooms have cameras installed and Saleh can view them all on his computer in his office. He’s able to remotely pop in and out of each to get a feel for the game plans, teachings and film
reviews being discussed — and offer his input.
Saleh borrowed the idea from Mike and Kyle Shanahan, who took a similar approach to overseeing all aspects of their teams.
“It’s not necessarily to spy, but it’s more of an opportunity to just go in there and just watch and just stay connected,” said Saleh, who was Kyle Shanahan’s defensive coordinator in San Francisco the past four years.
“What you find is, when talking to Poppa and Kyle,” Saleh added, “when head coaches are present in the room, coaches tend to coach differently because of, you know, they’re trying not to show up guys and embarrass guys in front of the head coach.”
Sort of like when the principal sits in on a class at school — and everyone is on their best behavior.
It’s a drastically different approach from the Jets’ previous regime as then-coach Adam Gase acknowledged he left overseeing the defense solely to then-coordinator Gregg Williams while he focused on the offense.
Saleh’s hands-on approach isn’t about micromanaging, either. It merely gives him a better feel for the vibe in each room while also providing first-hand knowledge of what teaching points are being made and what the coaches want to see from the players on the field.
Saleh constantly checks in with defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, special teams coordinator Brant Boyer and the positional assistants. So, when practice starts, Saleh knows exactly what to watch as he surveys each unit.