It sounds like cornerback Richard Sherman agrees with that assessment.
Grant Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat asked Sherman if Saleh strikes him as a future head coach.
"He 100-percent does," Sherman responded. "I don't get to call those shots but, if people are being smart, they will understand how prepared he is. If he ever gets a shot to interview for a head-coaching job, he'll blow them away."
Cohn asked what impression Saleh would create during a head coaching interview.
"That he's a football genius," Sherman answered.
The 49ers defense currently ranks eighth in points allowed, sixth against the pass, fifth against the run, and third in total passing yards allowed. The unit has seven takeaways, five of which are interceptions, this season. That's not bad considering the defense set NFL-record single-season lows for both total takeaways (7) and interceptions (2) last year.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan brought in Saleh to be his defensive coordinator on February 13, 2017. Saleh had spent the previous three seasons (2014-16) as the linebackers coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars and spent time in various roles with the Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans.
Added Sherman: "His preparation is so meticulous, it's ridiculous."
Saleh was a defensive quality control coach in Seattle during Sherman's first three seasons (2011-13) with the Seahawks.
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