Out goes Adam Gase and in goes Robert Saleh. The New York Jets have a new head coach and it’s the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator. Saleh heads to New York as the new head man to lead the Jets.
Adam Schefter of ESPN was the first to report the news:
The Jets announced the move already and put out a statement on the move.
“The Jets have agreed in principle for Robert Saleh, the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator for the past four seasons, to become their head coach.
Saleh will become the Jets’ 20th head coach in franchise history and their 18th coach appointed to take Green & White reins before the start of a new season.
Under Saleh’s direction in 2020, San Francisco had a top-10 defense in total yards (fifth), rush yards (seventh) and pass yards (fourth). In ’19 San Fran finished second overall in the league in total defense — with its 281.8 yards/game allowed the best by the team since 1997 — and first in pass defense — with the 169.2 pass yards/game allowed coming in as the best in the NFL since Rex Ryan and Jets defense allowed 153.7 pass yards/game in 2009. After coaching up that 49ers unit, Saleh received The Sporting News’ Coordinator of the Year award.”
News has already come out that Mike LeFleur will join Saleh to become the offensive coordinator. We don’t know if the offense will include Sam Darnold or Justin Fields. However, we do know Saleh was brought in to build a defense and culture.
Saleh helped run a defense that made it to the Super Bowl a year ago. If he can do the same with the Jets, then this will be a successful hire. Then again, this Jets roster isn’t close to what San Fran puts out on the field.
