After a two-day interview this week, now-former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh landed the head-coaching job with the New York Jets. It wasn't too long ago that many expected Saleh to be the frontrunner for the Detroit Lions vacancy. Filling that role didn't happen, but there was no doubt that Saleh was likely on his way out of San Francisco.
"I don't know what's wrong with people if they don't hire him," head coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier this month. "I mean, he's as good as you can get, and he knows more about football, all three phases, and he's going to hire the best staff, knows about players, he knows what they're talking about, who doesn't know what they're talking about, and he also knows how to deal with people."
A few 49ers players reacted on Twitter to the news of the Jets hiring Saleh. One is veteran cornerback Richard Sherman, who is scheduled to become a free agent and has been a vocal advocate for Saleh landing a head-coaching job. He obviously approves of the hiring.
The @nyjets got a great one! Congrats to them!
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) January 15, 2021
Sherman added the following via a text to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.
And here's reaction on the Jets hire of Robert Saleh, via text, from one of Saleh's captains in SF, 49ers CB @RSherman_25: "Great pick up! He's gonna turn that entire culture around!"
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 15, 2021
Kicker Robbie Gould and defensive lineman Ronald Blair also believe the Jets made a fantastic choice.
Congrats to Coach Saleh and his family. @nyjets you got a great coach and an even better person. #newtorkjets pic.twitter.com/GbPHR3Ki3F
— Robbie Gould (@RobbieGould09) January 15, 2021
Congrats to Saleh, well deserved! Jets got a helluva coach, competitor, and a solid dude 💯💯
— RB 3000 (@superblair) January 15, 2021
Even retired 49ers tackle Joe Staley weighed in on the hiring and expects things to turn around in New York.
I am so damn excited for Saleh. He is a leader. Unbelievable man and coach. Can't wait to watch him turn around the Jets organization!
— Joe Staley (@jstaley74) January 15, 2021
General manager John Lynch also commented on the hiring, again, via a text to Breer.
Text from @49ers GM John Lynch on Robert Saleh: "Robert's earned this opportunity. He's smart, a tremendously gifted leader and ready for this challenge. We'll miss him dearly but he's left us better and we'll be proud of all that he'll accomplish. The @Jets are very fortunate."
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 15, 2021
Saleh spent four seasons with San Francisco and is expected to take 49ers passing-game coordinator Mike LaFleur with him to be his offensive coordinator. Linebackers coach DeMeco Ryans will reportedly be promoted to replace Saleh as San Francisco's defensive coordinator, a move that garnered praise from Houston Texans star pass rusher J.J. Watt.
Hell of a player, hell of a man, can only imagine he's just as great of a coach.
Couldn't be happier for Meco!! https://t.co/B6mQfZrAoC
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 15, 2021
The silver lining for the 49ers is that Saleh's hiring means the team will receive third-round compensatory picks in each of the next two drafts as part of the NFL's minority-hiring program.
