Robert Saleh, 3 other coordinators 49ers could target if Nick Sorensen gets fired

It's too early to suggest the 49ers should fire Nick Sorensen. But if they do, Robert Saleh might just be one target to replace him in 2025.

The New York Jets opted to fire head coach Robert Saleh after just five weeks into the season and in the wake of a disappointing 2-3 start.

Understandably, that got plenty of San Francisco 49ers fans thinking about a potential reunion between Saleh and his former employer.

Saleh was head coach Kyle Shanahan's defensive coordinator from 2017 through 2020, his final season in the Bay Area arguably being his finest amid a massive rash of injuries that still couldn't get in the way of the Niners deploying one of the NFL's best defenses, at least in terms of yards allowed.

Of course, such a move would involve San Francisco dismissing its current coordinator, Nick Sorensen, who has been feeling the heat amid the 49ers' own 2-3 start to the season.

It's too soon to conclude whether or not Sorensen is up to the task. Remember, Saleh experienced his own growing pains in 2017 and 2018, resulting in plenty of fans calling for his firing. Even now-Houston Texans head coach Demeco Ryans was under pressure when he was the Niners' coordinator in 2021.

However, if Shanahan ultimately opts to dismiss Sorensen after just one year, not unlike coordinator Steve Wilks' fate following 2023, these four targets could be on San Francisco's radar.

Including Saleh.

No. 1: Robert Saleh

According to the San Francisco Chronicle's Mike Silver, Saleh doesn't plan on coaching again until 2025, instead electing to take time off to "regroup, go on vacation with his family and prepare for the next hiring cycle."

Saleh will be a hot target for plenty of teams seeking defensive help, and he should have no shortage of suitors.

However, given the 49ers' talents on defense, Saleh may decide it's the best fit for him to rebuild his career and image where it first got off the ground, going back to the venue that helped turn him into a head coach in 2021.

True, only a handful of current Niners played under Saleh, including defensive end Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner.

But those two would unquestionably vouch for his return if Sorensen is shown the door.

No. 2: Jeff Ulbrich

In firing Saleh, Gang Green named defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich its interim head coach.

Ulbrich, who has no shortage of ties to San Francisco, drew attention from Shanahan last offseason in the wake of the Wilks firing, and one can safely wonder if that move had a ripple effect on Saleh being let go.

Now, Ulbrich's availability hinges on a few things. For starters, his success or failure as New York's new coach will ultimately determine whether or not he's offered the full-time role in 2025. If so, he's out as a candidate.

Additionally, given Ulbrich is viewed as a rising coaching star, he could just as easily wind up being offered a head coaching position elsewhere, which he'd assuredly take instead of going back to the Bay Area to serve as a coordinator.

Either way, given their prior interest, the 49ers will be watching these developments closely.

No. 3: Gus Bradley

The Niners have links to former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll's Cover 3, 4-3 Under-style of defense, and both Saleh and Sorensen had ties to that organization, too.

So does current Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, who served in the same role with the Hawks from 2009 through 2012 before becoming head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2013, a position he held through 2016.

Currently in year three in Indy, there are concerns Bradley could be dismissed if the Colts opt to part ways with their own head coach Shane Steichen after a woeful 2-3 start, one that has Indianapolis' defense ranked dead last in terms of yards allowed.

Sure, the Colts' defensive issues don't bode well for Bradley, and he hasn't boasted a top-10 defense since he was coordinating the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018.

However, the schematic fit would certainly be there, as would the on-field personnel.

No. 4: Bill Belichick

Had to throw this name out there.

Legendary former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was also on San Francisco's radar last offseason following the Pats' decision to move on from the most successful coach in NFL history.

Belichick declined the offer, instead choosing to pursue TV opportunities where he seems to be having much more fun than the cold, methodical image he portrayed during his days at Foxboro.

Shanahan felt Belichick was merely going to take a one-year break from coaching before returning in some capacity in 2025.

Would that be as a head coach or as a coordinator, though?

It's a tough question to answer, one only Belichick and the head coach-needy teams would ultimately know.

However, it wouldn't be shocking if Shanahan made such a phone call again if Sorensen is out and Belichick is still out there when 2025 rolls around.

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