San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh told reporters on Thursday that he isn't disappointed he didn't land the Cleveland Browns head coaching job. While it would have been a great opportunity for the 49ers assistant, he is happy where he is right now.
Saleh is thankful, though, for the opportunity to be considered. Reports stated that it came down to Saleh and former Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski, who landed the job.
"There's no disappointment," Saleh said. "I'm very grateful to the Browns and having been a part of it. I'm actually a really big fan of (Browns CEO) Jimmy Haslam, and what he did, and what they're going to go through. I think they've got something going. I think they hired the right guy, and they've got a chance to do something special. I'm excited to see them progress."
One person who was ecstatic Saleh didn't get the job is his boss in Santa Clara, Kyle Shanahan. Earlier this week, the 49ers head coach didn't hide his enthusiasm from learning that he gets to keep his defensive coordinator for at least one more season.
Shanahan used words like "pumped" and "excited" after being asked how he felt about the Browns passing on Saleh.
"It's like a backhanded compliment, right?" Saleh joked.
"Kyle's always been a big supporter," the defensive coordinator continued. "He supports his staff. He really supports everybody. He is not one to look at a coach and say, 'I've got to get rid of this dude.' His first instinct is to try to make you better and help you get better.
"To understand Kyle, and to work with Kyle, is really a gift that I think a lot of people should have once in their life because of the fact that he's always striving to help you get better. And that's what I think makes this organization tick, is that everybody in this organization is always trying to help each other get better, and because of it, Kyle feels invested in all his coaches.
"I do believe him when he says that he's happy (to keep me) because he feels like he's invested in me, which he has. And because of it, I take it as a compliment."