"He has to get the Detroit job," Sherman recently told Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. "Homegrown. He's a great leader of men. And he's not stubborn. He doesn't just think he has all the answers. He comes up with a great plan and evolves it with his players. ... We battle for that man! He's a great human being. Makes you want to fight for him."
Sherman isn't the only one ready to praise his defensive coordinator. Peter King of NBC Sports asked linebacker Fred Warner if he agrees with Sherman's assessment of Saleh.
"One-hundred percent. One-thousand percent," Warner told King. "He's been such a huge part of this team, he's so decisive in what he expects from this defense, he leaves no gray area for us. He's such a smart coach in the way he's been able to lead our group."
Saleh's defense enters Monday night's game against the Buffalo Bills ranked No. 5 in yards allowed per game, No. 4 against the pass, No. 10 against the run, and No. 11 in points allowed. That, of course, is despite working with an injury-ravaged roster for much of the season. Saleh's ability to keep the unit focused and producing in the face of adversity has been an impressive achievement.
"I have no doubt he'd be an amazing head coach," Warner continued. "So I'm looking forward to the time where he does get the opportunity. But for now, he's gonna lead us, and lead us to playing good."
King also has faith in Saleh's ability to command an NFL squad of his own. It seems less and less likely that head coach Kyle Shanahan will be able to retain his talented defensive coordinator beyond this season.
Wrote King: "If you ask me for the assistant coach I believe is the closest to a lock to get a head coaching job, it's Saleh. Outside of his lack of offensive background, he checks every box."
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers' Robert Saleh open to head coaching opportunities, but 'it's not desperation'
There is little doubt that San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh will be among the top names to watch when NFL teams begin filling head coaching vacancies during the upcoming offseason. Saleh, however, has repeatedly insisted that his focus remains squarely on... -
John Lynch: 49ers plan to make it 'very attractive' for Robert Saleh to stay
The San Francisco 49ers are focused on closing out the regular season strong and positioning themselves for a deep playoff run. Still, one offseason storyline is already drawing attention—and could surface even before the postseason ends. What happens with defensive... -
49ers injury update: John Lynch doesn't rule out Fred Warner's playoff return
The San Francisco 49ers aren't ruling out the possibility that star linebacker Fred Warner could return this postseason. Warner suffered a dislocated and fractured right ankle in Week 6, and early expectations were that he wouldn't play again until next year. Now, that timeline... -
Shanahan, Saleh, Purdy preview 49ers-Bears Week 17 matchup
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, and quarterback Brock Purdy addressed reporters ahead of Wednesday's practice as the team gears up for its Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears. Here's everything they said. Transcripts...