Jets Announce 49ers DC Robert Saleh As New Head Coach

The New York Jets have their man and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh finally has a head-coaching job after years of being considered for openings -- and never getting them.

That has all changed, as Saleh has agreed to a five-year deal to coach the Jets. NFL insider Josina Anderson was the first to break the news, while terms of the deal were reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Jets later confirmed the reports in a release.

Along with that news, Schefter reported Saleh is likely to bring 49ers passing game coordinator Mike LaFleur to the Jets with him. LaFleur would serves as offensive coordinator for Saleh and the Jets.

Saleh, 41, has been the Niners' defensive coordinator since 2017. Before that, he was the Jacksonville Jaguars' linebackers coach (2014-16). He has also coached on the defensive side of the ball for the Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans.

The 49ers had the fifth-ranked defense in points allowed this past season.

The Jets fired Adam Gase following a 2-14 season. They currently own the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

"A native Michigander, Saleh grew up in Dearborn and started at TE for four seasons at Northern Michigan University," the Jets' release read. "Before entering the pro coaching ranks, Saleh extended his Michigan roots with two seasons as an assistant coach at Michigan State and one at Central Michigan before a brief stop at the University of Georgia in 2005 before heading to Houston."