Robert Saleh is feeling relieved to step back from some responsibilities he had as a head coach.
The former Jets coach has returned to his previous role as the defensive coordinator for the 49ers, and he mentioned in a recent press conference that he enjoys focusing solely on coaching without the additional pressures that come with being a head coach.
“It’s exciting to have this perspective again. Being back in the building where I was a coordinator before gives me a fresh outlook,” Saleh shared. “I have a lot of empathy for what [49ers coach] Kyle [Shanahan] is going through, and I want to help him succeed.”
After a challenging tenure with the Jets—where he recorded a 20-36 record during three seasons before being let go following a 2-3 start last year—Saleh expressed that he had no desire to pursue other opportunities apart from returning to San Francisco, where he had previously spent four seasons as a coordinator.
Saleh spoke highly of the organization and its leadership, particularly commending owner Jed York and general manager John Lynch. “I’ve received so much support from them,” he said. “Thinking back to my early years as the D-Coordinator in 2017 and 2018, it could have been easy for them to move on from me.”
During his time with the 49ers, Saleh’s defense played a key role in the team’s journey to the Super Bowl before he was hired by the Jets in 2020. Unfortunately, his time in New York was less successful.
The early struggles involved developing quarterback Zach Wilson, even as excitement grew with the arrival of Aaron Rodgers in 2023. Tragically, this endeavor turned disastrous when Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles in his first game with the Jets. By the time he was healthy, his performance was underwhelming—much more like a seasoned veteran than the MVP he was known to be.
On top of that, distractions off the field affected the team, leading to Saleh’s abrupt dismissal after a loss to Minnesota during the fifth week of the season.
“I’ve learned a lot,” Saleh reflected. “There’s no guidebook for first-time head coaches or for navigating life. It’s through these experiences that you get to know yourself better, and if you’re honest with yourself, you can identify where you went wrong.”
He added, “Every new experience presents a chance to grow, and I’ve engaged in plenty of self-reflection and personal development during this time.”
