The San Francisco 49ers are bringing back Robert Saleh for a second stint as defensive coordinator after a failed tenure as head coach of the New York Jets, a person familiar with the choice told The Associated Press.

Saleh was fired as the Jets’ coach five games into this season and is now back with the 49ers, where he made his name in the NFL.

The San Francisco 49ers on Friday night made a significant upgrade to their coaching staff when they officially hired defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, but that can’t be their only big defensive move this offseason.

Robert Saleh set a standard with the energy he brought to the sideline, and the San Francisco 49ers are counting on his exuberance to revive the defense in 2025.

Saleh was fired midway through this past season in New York, but the Jets had a strong defense under his tenure.

Saleh, who was fired in October as the New York Jets head coach five games into his fourth season, generated interest on the head-coaching front and was seen as one of the frontrunners for the Jacksonville Jaguars job. He also interviewed with the Las Vegas Raiders and Dallas Cowboys.

The San Francisco 49ers might have pulled off the coup of this year’s coaching cycle, bringing back Robert Saleh to coordinate their defense.

The San Francisco 49ers have long established their strong defensive identity, and with Robert Saleh back at the helm

The 49ers have brought back Robert Saleh, fired as Jets head coach this season, in the defensive coordinator role he held for San Francisco from 2017-2021.

Robert Saleh is headed back to the West Coast. The former New York Jets head coach has been hired as the new defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, the team announced on Friday.

With Saleh, the 49ers have their ideal defensive coordinator: someone who knows the system, is capable of adjusting, is energetic, and is beloved by his players. Star players like Nick Bosa and ...

Robert Saleh didn’t get the job he wanted, but the job he accepted could lead to a gig he desires next year. Saleh rejoined the San Francisco 49ers as their defensive coordinator Friday and the announcement was made shortly after the last of the three head-coaching openings for which he was a candidate was filled.