Robert Saleh Expected to Return as 49ers Defensive Coordinator After Coaching Carousel Drama

The former Jets head coach is set to rejoin San Francisco, where he previously led a top-tier defense, following twists in NFL coaching vacancies.

Robert Saleh is reportedly set to become the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator, a position he held from 2017 to 2020.
Saleh's return follows a tumultuous series of coaching changes and interviews, including his candidacy for head coaching positions with the Jaguars, Raiders, and Cowboys.
A surprising decision by Liam Coen to pursue the Jaguars' head coaching job cleared the path for Saleh to rejoin the 49ers, as he canceled his planned second interview with Jacksonville.
The 49ers fired Nick Sorensen after one season as defensive coordinator, marking the fourth change in the role in as many years, as the team seeks to stabilize its struggling defense.
Saleh's previous tenure with the 49ers saw him lead a defense that ranked among the NFL's best, including a Super Bowl appearance in the 2019 season.