The San Francisco 49ers' wait continues. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh is set to have a second interview with the Jacksonville Jaguars as the team narrows its search for a new head coach.
Saleh's second interview, scheduled for Friday, means 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan must remain patient as the situation unfolds regarding his reported top choice for the team's defensive coordinator role. While the 49ers have already interviewed Saleh for their defensive coordinator role, he remains a candidate for the head coaching jobs with the Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, and Dallas Cowboys.
Saleh previously served as the 49ers' defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020, playing a pivotal role in helping the team reach Super Bowl LIV during the 2019 season. His leadership and defensive knowledge left a lasting impact, which is why the 49ers are eager to reunite with him.
Shanahan and the 49ers have reportedly made a strong push to bring him back, offering to make Saleh the NFL's highest-paid defensive coordinator if he does not land a head coaching job. It's unclear if the 49ers have a contingency plan after parting ways with former defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen.
Matt Barrows of The Athletic recently characterized the team's defensive coordinator search as a "Saleh or bust" scenario.
"I know that the 49ers have made a strong offer," Barrows said. "It's supposed to be top of the market. Will it be at the end of this cycle? I don't know. But the point was that it was supposed to be a strong offer to signal to him that we really want you back here."
