SANTA CLARA – Robert Saleh’s job hunt apparently will end where it officially began two weeks ago: as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, a role he spiritedly served in from 2017-20.
That’s because head coaching vacancies are going to others: Liam Coen in Jacksonville, Pete Carroll in Las Vegas and likely Brian Schottenheimer in Dallas.
Saleh was expected to conduct a second interview today with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but that plan got scuttled Thursday when they reportedly lured back Coen, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator.
Meanwhile, the Raiders informed other candidates they were hiring Carroll, a 73-year-old San Francisco native, according to ESPN and the NFL Network. The Cowboys’ search closed in Thursday on offensive coordinator Schotteneimer, according to DLLS reporter Clarence Hill.
Four years ago, the New York Jets hired Saleh away from the 49ers to become their head coach. He went 20-36, including 7-10 seasons in 2022 and ’23, before being dismissed after a 2-3 start this season.
Saleh, who turns 46 next Friday, finished out the regular season as a Green Bay Packers offensive consultant to long-time friend Matt LaFleur.
He then conducted interviews with the 49ers on Jan. 9, the Jaguars on Jan. 14, the Raiders on Jan. 16, and the Cowboys on Jan. 18.
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The 49ers, in announcing Saleh’s interview two weeks ago, also confirmed holding one with Deshea Townsend, the Detroit Lions’ pass-game coordinator. Coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier this month he’d also consider Brandon Staley, who joined the staff last season as an assistant head coach.
Shanahan will need to do more than hire Saleh to replace one-and-done defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen. Shanahan has interviewed candidates to become the next special teams coordinator in place of the fired Brian Schneider. Also, Klay Kubiak’s announced promotion to offensive coordinator two weeks ago was premature, as Shanahan still needed to interview two minority candidates to comply with the NFL’s hiring practices.
