San Francisco 49ers: 3 assistants who could become head coaches
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: 49ers Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh
It sure seems like a long time ago when fans were calling for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to be fired
Sure, the Niners’ 2017 and 2018 defenses weren’t particularly great, and citing the team’s rebuild only goes so far. Yet it’s important to acknowledge a coordinator can improve, too, and Saleh certainly did that and then some in 2019.
More from SF 49ers News
- DraftKings NFL Draft Promo – Win $150 Guaranteed on Any $5 Bet
- Updated 49ers salary cap space ahead of 2023 NFL Draft
- Deebo Samuel fully admits his hatred of LA Rams
- Brock Purdy jokingly says he’s learning to throw left-handed
- 49ers news: Trey Lance is in the dark regarding trade talk
Those efforts, along with a number of key player additions and developments, resulted in San Francisco boasting the No. 8 scoring defense last season, the No. 2 defense in terms of yards allowed (4,509) and the No. 1 pass defense (2,707 yards allowed on 4.8 yards per attempt).
Saleh’s stock, fueled by his own intense personality, ended up with an offseason interview for the Browns’ head coaching opening. Saleh didn’t get the job, and it ended up going to former Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski (remember that part about teams often preferring offensive-minded coaches?).
It’s yet to be determined whether or not Cleveland made a mistake going with Stefanski over Saleh. But that won’t stop the latter from further consideration a little less than a year from now.
Particularly if the 49ers defense winds up being just as potent as it was last season.
Next. 5 critical problems 49ers could face in 2020. dark
Out of all the possibilities, Saleh seems the most likely to be the soonest of Kyle Shanahan’s assistants to land a head coach job elsewhere.