There was no doubt that San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator would be a hot commodity for vacant head coaching opportunities this offseason. With the regular season over, the interest is heating up.
The Cleveland Browns have reportedly requested to interview Saleh for their head coaching job, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
And now the Browns have requested permission to interview 49ers' defensive coordinator Robert Saleh for their head coaching job, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 30, 2019
The 49ers defense struggled during Saleh's first two seasons with the team but made great strides in 2019. The unit finished the season ranked No. 2 overall in the league, No. 1 against the pass, No. 8 in points allowed, and No. 17 against the run.
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Head coach Kyle Shanahan hired Saleh to coach the defense in 2017. He had spent the previous three seasons as the Jacksonville Jaguars linebackers coach along with various assistant roles before that with the Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans.
Cleveland fired head coach Freddie Kitchens on Sunday following the team's Week 17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns, a much-hyped Super Bowl contender entering the 2019 season, finished with a 6-10 record.
In addition to Saleh, the only reported defensive-minded candidate, Cleveland has requested permission to interview offensive coordinators Kevin Stefanski of the Minnesota Vikings, Josh McDaniels of the New England Patriots, and Greg Roman of the Baltimore Ravens. The team also plans to interview former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.