Robert Saleh was cheered on by one of his former Jets players as he officially landed a new job on Friday night.
Saleh, who was relieved of his duties as the Jets’ head coach this past fall, was announced as the 49ers’ new defensive coordinator – the same role he held in San Francisco from 2017-20.
And New York cornerback Sauce Gardner seemed happy for his former coach as he reacted to the move.
‘sheeesh,’ he wrote on X in response to the news, along with three fire emojis.
Gardner thrived under the defensive-minded Saleh as he won Defensive Rookie of the Year and began his career with a pair of first-team All-Pro selections.
Saleh joined the Jets in 2021, coaching the team for three-plus seasons until he was fired after a Week 5 loss to the Vikings this season.
Robert Saleh has landed a new job as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers
Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner cheered Saleh on from afar as his new move was announced
From 2022-23, the Jets’ defense ranked first in pᴀssing yards allowed per game and opponent yards per play under Saleh, as the 49ers noted.
While Saleh had been expected to land the 49ers’ defensive coordinator job as of Thursday, per The Athletic’s reporting, his return to San Francisco didn’t become official until the Cowboys named Brian ScH๏τtenheimer their new head coach.
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Saleh had interviewed for the Cowboys’ head coaching position, and also met with the Raiders and Jaguars regarding their head coaching vacancies.
Las Vegas ultimately went with Pete Carroll, while the Jaguars landed on Liam Coen after his stunning U-turn.
The former Bucs offensive coordinator, following an initial virtual interview with Jacksonville, had agreed to stay on in Tampa Bay – only to renege and take the Jaguars job after all. The change of heart notably came after the Jaguars fired GM Trent Baalke.
Meanwhile, Saleh’s old franchise has settled on a new hierarchy as well, as Gang Green hired former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to become their head coach.
Reporter Josina Anderson later said that Denver Broncos ᴀssistant GM Darren Mougey would also be joining the Jets as their new general manager (former GM Joe Douglas was fired on November 19).
