The San Francisco 49ers had to hold their breath while Robert Saleh interviewed for open head coaching opportunities. Now they're breathing a sigh of relief because their defensive coordinator is back.
Saleh agreed to return to the 49ers on Friday night, with an official announcement welcoming him home shortly after reports broke across NFL media.
Reunion: After interviewing for three head coaching jobs, Robert Saleh is now officially returning to the #49ers as defensive coordinator, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 25, 2025
Saleh impressed in interviews and now is back in a familiar place, with a chance to become a hot HC candidate again in 2026. pic.twitter.com/Jju2cu1qjj
The hire is a huge hit with 49ers fans who remember what Saleh was able to do with his previous defenses in San Francisco. In 2019, the 49ers ranked eighth in points allowed and second in yards. Saleh's defense helped get the team to the Super Bowl where they fell to the Chiefs.
The hope is that Saleh can get the 49ers defense back to Super Bowl levels.
49ers fans celebrate Robert Saleh hire
All of Niners twitter when they hear the Robert Saleh news...
— FoN9ne (@FoN9ne) January 25, 2025
pic.twitter.com/tbOMnPGlKC https://t.co/l46zRBfDIg
The 49ers offseason so far:
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) January 25, 2025
• Got rid of Nick Sorensen
• Got rid of Brian Schneider
• Got rid of Ronnie Bell
• Hired Robert Saleh as DC
• Brandon Staley is on his way out
That’s one hell of an offseason and we’re still in January pic.twitter.com/EhhyXK6wTy
Robert Saleh back
— 🐺 (@rangebrothas) January 25, 2025
Top 11 pick
Last place schedule
Fully healthy
yall had your chance @nfl, we coming pic.twitter.com/W48GhY9qJx
You don't worry about when Robert Saleh will leave. In fact, you *want* him to be pursued as a head coach in 2026. Because that means the 49ers defense will have been successful in 2025.
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) January 24, 2025
That's how this works
Saleh left San Francisco to become the head coach of the New York Jets in 2021. His tenure in New York didn't work out, but that's to the 49ers benefit As soon as he lost his job, the possibility of returning was raised.
The biggest hurdles had to do with other hiring opportunities. Salah interviewed for the Cowboys, Jaguars and Raiders. Those jobs went to Brian Schottenheimer, Liam Coen and Pete Carroll respectively. It's not a coincidence Saleh's hiring was officially announced shortly after Dallas made their pick.
Saleh inherits a defense that underachieved under Nick Sorensen, who was fired at the end of the season. They ranked 29th in points allowed. However, the team dealt with injuries across both the offense and defense, making a true evaluation of the returning roster more tricky.
On the plus side, Saleh rebuilt the 49ers defensive roster the last time he was in town. He'll be dealing with a new group of players, but there is talent to work with, including Dre Greenlaw, Fred Warner and Nick Bosa.
Realistically, 49ers need to enjoy Saleh while they have him. The better he does in SF, the more likely he is to be considered for coaching opportunities next year as well.