Jets coach Saleh ‘endlessly indebted' to 49ers, Shanahan household

Jets coach Saleh ‘forever indebted’ to 49ers, Shanahan family initially appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The 49ers household runs deep, and ex-defensive coordinator Robert Saleh seems to be again fondly on his time with San Francisco.

The New York Jets coach lately mirrored on the staff that gave him his first DC job forward of his return to Levi’s Stadium in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season, crediting the 49ers group and its gamers for the place he’s in the present day.

“First off, it is a particular place, getting my first alternative as a coordinator,” Saleh informed reporters Thursday. “Took over a not-so-great protection, and we had been capable of construct that factor and herald guys like Fred Warner, [Nick] Bosa, [Arik] Armstead, [DeForest] Buckner, Jimmie Ward, [Jaquiski] Tartt, Okay’Waun Williams, D.J. Jones, [Dre] Greenlaw — there’s so many guys.

“Eric Reid was there for the primary 12 months. I am positive I missed some guys, however Dee Ford, Ronnie Blair. In case you like profitable, you want Ronnie. There’s so many guys, so many coaches. I am going to endlessly be indebted to the Shanahan household. Papa [Mike] Shanahan, who had an amazing affect. [49ers coach] Kyle [Shanahan], clearly, challenged me each day to look outdoors the field; [general manager/president of football operations] John [Lynch] and his tutelage.

“I imply, it is simply an elite group. The York household and the way in which they function everyday. I believe it is a class group, and [I’m] endlessly indebted to them.”

Saleh served as 49ers DC for 4 seasons from 2017 to 2020, becoming a member of a brand new regime below Shanahan and Lynch that reestablished San Francisco as a dominant NFL power. The 49ers returned to the playoffs for the primary time since their 2013 marketing campaign through the 2019 NFL season, led by a lights-out protection with Saleh at the helm.

The 49ers’ protection was sixth within the league in pressured turnovers (27), second in complete protection (281.8 yards per sport), first in passing protection (169.2 yards per sport) and fourth in sacks (48) throughout that 2019 season, marking the primary time since 2003 that San Francisco completed within the high 10 in each scoring and yards per sport. Saleh helped Shanahan lead the staff to a 13–3 file and Tremendous Bowl LIV, the place the 49ers misplaced to the Kansas City Chiefs.

After Saleh turned the 49ers’ protection round, the sought-after coordinator signed a five-year contract to educate the Jets following the 2020 season. Saleh’s inside linebackers coach, DeMeco Ryans, then took over as 49ers DC and helped San Francisco attain the postseason in each 2021 and 2022 earlier than following in Saleh’s footsteps and turning into head coach of the Houston Texans forward of the 2023 season.

The 49ers definitely take pleasure of their coordinators and assistants rising up the teaching ladder, whether or not it is with them or a special NFL staff. And now, in New York, Saleh is repeating historical past after teaching a top-three protection with the Jets final 12 months.

San Francisco’s 2024 season opener on Sept. 9 will probably be Saleh’s first time again at Levi’s Stadium since Nov. 5, 2020, when the 49ers performed their ultimate sport of the 12 months on their residence turf earlier than ending out their marketing campaign on the College of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona, when Santa Clara County expanded its coronavirus restrictions through the pandemic.

And despite the fact that Saleh rocks inexperienced now as an alternative of the Crimson and Gold, he can make sure you count on a heat welcome from the 49ers Devoted in any case he achieved within the Bay.

Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast