Reports: Titans set to hire 49ers DC Robert Saleh as head coach

Field Level Media|published: Tue 20th January, 24:47 2026

Nov 16, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh reacts after defeating the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

Robert Saleh is set to get a second crack at being an NFL head coach.

The San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator was working to finalize a deal to take the top job with the Tennessee Titans, multiple media outlets reported Monday night.

Saleh, 46, led the New York Jets to losing records in 2021, 2022 and 2023, then was fired after the team started 2-3 in 2024. His overall mark on the job was 20-36.

He took over the 49ers' defense this season. Saleh's unit wound up 20th in the NFL in total defense (340.2 yards per game) and 13th in scoring defense (21.8 points per game) despite All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner and All-Pro edge rusher Nick Bosa missing the majority of the season due to injuries.

The Titans confirmed Monday that they interviewed Saleh and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy for their head-coaching vacancy. Tennessee fired Brian Callahan after a 1-5 start, and interim coach Mike McCoy saw out the team's 3-14 season.

Callahan also led the Titans to a 3-14 mark in 2024. Tennessee has posted four consecutive losing seasons.

Prior to getting the Jets' job, Saleh was an assistant in college football with Michigan State, Central Michigan and Georgia. He broke into the pro coaching ranks with the Houston Texans in 2005 and later worked with the Seattle Seahawks and the Jacksonville Jaguars before his first stint as the 49ers' defensive coordinator from 2017-20.

--Field Level Media