Former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh was hired by the New York Jets on Thursday to be the team's new head coach. General manager John Lynch immediately texted Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.
"Robert's earned this opportunity," Lynch told Breer. "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."
On Saturday morning, the 49ers released official statements from Shanahan and Lynch.
"There is not much I haven't already said about Robert's abilities as a coach and as a leader," said Shanahan via the statement. "As a friend, I respect him greatly and could not be happier for him, Sanaa, and their family. Robert helped to build a successful environment that has developed both players and coaches, and we are thankful for everything he brought to the 49ers these last four years. We wish him all the best."
Saleh, hired by Shanahan in 2017, served as the 49ers' defensive coordinator for four seasons.
"Robert is a great coach and an even better person," added Lynch via the statement. "He's a gifted leader who has earned the opportunity to direct a team in this League. His contributions to the 49ers over the last four years have helped us establish a culture and a standard that will continue to serve us well. We wish Robert, Sanaa, and their entire family the best and look forward to watching his future accomplishments."
While Shanahan hoped to retain Saleh for the 2021 season, the head coach anticipated losing his valuable assistant.
"I would be very surprised if we don't lose him," Shanahan told reporters 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."