49ers interview former Jets coach Robert Saleh for DC post

Field Level Media|published: 01/09/2025, 5:23pm EST

Oct 6, 2024; London, United Kingdom; New York Jets coach Robert Saleh reacts against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The San Francisco 49ers interviewed former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh for their vacant defensive coordinator opening on Thursday.

Saleh formerly was the defensive coordinator for the 49ers from 2017-20. He then left to coach the Jets and went 20-36 over three-plus seasons with New York before being fired with a 2-3 mark this season. He finished the season as a consultant for the Green Bay Packers.

San Francisco also interviewed Deshea Townsend for the position. He is currently the Detroit Lions defensive passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach.

Saleh, who turns 46 later this month, guided the 49ers' defense to top-five finishes in total defense in 2019-20. San Francisco led the NFL by allowing just 169.2 passing yards per game in 2019.

Saleh reportedly is hoping to interview for head coaching vacancies with the Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Townsend, 49, played 13 NFL seasons, 12 of them for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1998-2009. He finished his career with the Indianapolis Colts in 2010.

Townsend won two Super Bowl rings with the Steelers.

Nick Sorensen was San Francisco's defensive coordinator this season. According to coach Kyle Shanahan, Sorensen might be retained in a different role.

--Field Level Media