The Cleveland Browns have hired a head coach, and it won’t be 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport on Sunday reported the Browns are set to hire Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski.
Saleh emerged as a top candidate for the Browns job after they interviewed him during the team’s bye week in the first round of the playoffs. The 49ers defense saw a dramatic turnaround this season, finishing No. 8 in points allowed and No. 2 in yards allowed a year after they finished No. 28 and No. 13 in those categories, respectively.
Buzz that Saleh might’ve landed the job reached a fever pitch Saturday morning ahead of the 49ers’ divisional playoff game against the Vikings when reports surfaced that Cleveland requested to interview Colts assistant general manager Ed Dodds for their general manager opening. Dodds was one of Saleh’s top choices to join him in Cleveland according to Rapoport.
Saleh’s defense put on a masterpiece against Stefanski’s offense in that divisional playoff game. The 49ers held the Vikings to 147 total yards, 21 rushing yards, and seven first downs in a 27-10 49ers win.
Keeping Saleh in Santa Clara is great news for the 49ers on several levels. Saleh has been a terrific defensive coordinator this season, but there was also a chance he plucked other members of the 49ers’ coaching staff for his staff in Cleveland. There’s still a chance that happens, but it felt inevitable if Saleh took a head coach job.
Now the 49ers can prepare for the NFC championship game without wondering about their defensive coordinator’s future, but the fact Saleh was a top candidate for a team this year means he’ll likely be a consistent name in head-coaching searches.