San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh isn't going anywhere. At least, not this year. The Cleveland Browns hired Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski to be their next head coach, and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan retains his defensive coordinator of the past three seasons.
Sources: The #Browns are planning to hire #Vikings OC Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach. Runner-up last year, winner this year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2020
Ben Volin of the Boston Globe reported on Friday that Saleh was not among the Brown's final candidates for the job. Although, there were reports on Saturday that Saleh was not completely out of the running.
Saleh, 40, interviewed with the Browns in the Santa Clara area on Saturday, January 4. San Francisco is preparing to host the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday at Levi's Stadium.
Cleveland was also reportedly interested in 49ers passing-game coordinator Mike LaFleur and run-game coordinator Mike McDaniel as potential coordinators should Saleh be hired. Either might have served as Saleh's offensive coordinator had he been hired by the Browns.
Fallout from #Browns hire of Kevin Stefanski:
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2020
— #49ers DC Robert Saleh, who nearly got it, has emerged as a top candidate for years to come.
— #Patriots OC Josh McDaniels will stay in New England, a win for Bill Belichick.
— Minnesota needs a new OC, but Gary Kubiak is there.
Saleh is in his 15th NFL season and third season with San Francisco. He helped transform the 49ers defense into the No. 2 ranked (points allowed) unit in the NFL. Before joining head coach Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco, Saleh spent three seasons as the Jacksonville Jaguars linebackers coach along with various assistant roles before that with the Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans.
The Browns fired coach Freddie Kitchens following the team's Week 17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and after the team finished the season with a 6-10 record.
Saleh's strong interview made the #Browns think hard about the decision. But with Paul DePodesta running the search, Stefanski — a finalist who DePodesta favored a year ago — went in with the edge and gets the job. https://t.co/IaAsXJJD7C
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 12, 2020
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