San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that defensive coordinator Robert Saleh will return next season.
"I don't see myself making any specific changes," Shanahan told reporters on Monday. "I like our staff a lot. I think we've got some good coaches. I think there's areas we can all get better in."
Shanahan added that he has an obligation to always look into improving the team whether it be via changes to the roster or staff.
"If Bill Belichick became available two weeks from now and said he wants to come here, and I was told I had to let someone go to bring him in, it would probably be a smart decision to do that," he continued. "I'm not going to ever say that everyone is just totally safe forever. What I can say is I think our staff is a very good staff, and I like what our guys are, and where they can be, and it's a staff I want to hold onto."
Shanahan was then more specific and confirmed that Saleh will remain on his staff.
The 49ers defense finished the 2018 season ranked No. 11 against the pass, No. 14 against the run, and No. 13 in total yards allowed. The unit also finished No. 28 in points allowed, giving up 27.2 per game.
The defense also set a new NFL record for the fewest takeaways in a season. The previous record of 11 was set by the Baltimore Colts during the 1982 season and later tied by three teams (Houston Texans in 2013, Dallas Cowboys in 2015, and the Chicago Bears in 2016). The 49ers had seven in 2018.
San Francisco finished the season with just two interceptions, which is also a record for fewest by a team in a single season.
General manager John Lynch stressed that the 49ers feel the defense started to fit together better toward the end of the season and the team wants to keep the Seahawks-style defense that Saleh installed.
Saleh joined the 49ers coaching staff in 2017, just seven days after Kyle Shanahan was named the head coach. He never had experience as a defensive coordinator before joining the 49ers and spent three seasons (2014-16) as the linebackers coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars before coming to San Francisco.
Saleh also spent time with the Seattle Seahawks (2011-13) as their defensive quality control coach and held several positions with the Houston Texans (2005-10).
Shanahan has been vocal all season about his confidence in Saleh.
"There's not many people out there better than Saleh," Shanahan said earlier this month. "I feel we're very fortunate to have him. We're going to see how this year finishes but I've been happy with Saleh all the way, and I know he's a very good coach, and I know he's only going to get better."
Shanahan wasn't always so confident in Saleh. Shanahan wanted Saleh to commit to being the team's linebackers coach before entertaining the idea of interviewing him for the defensive coordinator job. Saleh had to make a decision between a potential job of his dreams with the 49ers or a guaranteed job with his former head coach in Jacksonville, Gus Bradley, who had just been hired as the Los Angeles Chargers' defensive coordinator.