With Doug Marrone being fired Monday morning, the Jacksonville Jaguars have requested permission to speak with San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, according to 49ers general manager John Lynch.
Lynch says Jaguars, Falcons and Lions have asked for permission to interview Robert Saleh.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) January 4, 2021
Saleh was expected to receive interest from the Jags as he was a former assistant for them under Gus Bradley. Once Bradley was fired, his staff was free to find work elsewhere and he found his way to the 49ers’ staff in 2017 as their defensive coordinator with Kyle Shanahan, who he knew from his time with the Houston Texans.
Saleh’s coaching career started in 2002, where he was a defensive assistant with Michigan State. Afterward, he had two more stints in the collegiate ranks making stops with Central Michigan and Georgia with the same title. In 2005, Saleh found his way to the NFL spending time with the Texans and Seattle Seahawks before landing with the Jags and 49ers.
With Saleh being from the Seahawks tree like Gus Bradley and Todd Wash, he’s a candidate who would provide the defensive side of the ball a smooth transition. While hearing those names may scare some fans, it’s worth mentioning that Saleh has added his own elements to the scheme. Saleh has also played a huge role in the 49ers ranking seventh in rush defense (allowing a 106.4 YPG), fourth in passing defense (220.4 YPG), and fifth overall this season (314.4 YPG).
With the Jags eyeing the No. 1 overall pick which could include Trevor Lawrence, a key for Saleh will be who he has in mind to be his quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. However, there isn’t a reason why he shouldn’t be able to snag the right people with 15 years of NFL coaching on his resume.