Saleh gets callback from Jets
The Jets coaching search is heating up.
Gang Green flew 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh in Tuesday for a second interview, per the NFL Network.
Saleh, 41, interviewed remotely on Friday for the gig that opened up when the Jets sent Adam Gase packing hours after the team lost the season finale to the Patriots. He’s the first candidate to get an in-person meeting with GM Joe Douglas and his search team.
Due to COVID-19 protocols all first-round interviews for coaching vacancies around the league were conducted virtually.
Saleh, who helped the 49ers reach the Super Bowl following the 2019 season, is attracting plenty of interest. In addition to the Jets, Saleh has also done virtual interviews with the Falcons, Lions, Jaguars and Chargers.
The Eagles — who fired Doug Peterson on Monday just three seasons after he coached Philly to its first Super Bowl title — also want to talk to Saleh. The Eagles requested permission to interview him Tuesday, ESPN reported. Speaking of Peterson, there is an SNY report that he could be a top candidate to replace Gase thanks to his ties to Douglas. Douglas — who is believed to be leading the Jets’ search — was the Eagles’ VP of player personnel for Pederson’s first three years in Philly. The two won a Super Bowl together.
But a source close to Pederson suggested he is unsure if he wants to jump back into coaching immediately or take some time off, per ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio.
Saleh has been the defensive coordinator in San Francisco since 2017. His unit was ranked No. 2 overall in 2019 as the 49ers advanced to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Chiefs, 31-20. The 49ers slumped to 6-10 this season as the team was ravaged by injuries. Saleh lost defensive stars Nick Bosa (torn ACL in a September victory over the Jets at MetLife Stadium) and Dee Ford. The team also lost defensive linemen Solomon Thomas and Ezekiel Ansah. Despite the heavy personnel losses, the 49ers still managed to feature the fifth-best defense in the league.
Before joining Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco, Saleh spent three seasons on Pete Carroll’s staff (2011-2013) and then three seasons as the Jaguars’ linebackers coach (2014-2016). He started his NFL coaching career as a defensive intern with the Texans in 2005.
“I think the world of what he’s done,” Carroll said at the end of December. “Robert’s going to be a head coach and deserves to be. He’s made that jump into a leadership position and shown excellence.”
Douglas who vowed to cast a wide net in his search to replace Gase — who went 9-23 in his two seasons — has already interviewed Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, ex-Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and former Jets Pro Bowler Aaron Glenn (currently the Saints’ secondary coach).