Robert Saleh (born January 31, 1979) is an American football coach who is the head coach for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He began his career as a defensive assistant, holding his first defensive coordinator position with the San Francisco 49ers from 2017 to 2020. Following the 2020 season, he left the 49ers to become the Jets’ head coach.
Early years
Saleh was born in Dearborn, Michigan and is a 1997 graduate of Fordson High School. He is of Lebanese descent. He attended Northern Michigan University from 1998 to 2002, where he earned a degree in finance and was a four-year starter for the Northern Michigan Wildcats football team, earning all-conference honors as a tight end.
Coaching career
College
Saleh began his coaching career at the collegiate level in 2002. He spent four years working as a defensive assistant with Michigan State University (2002–03), Central Michigan University (2004) and the University of Georgia (2005).
Houston Texans
In 2005, Saleh was hired as an intern with the Houston Texans, working with the defensive unit. In February 2006, he was retained in Gary Kubiak’s staff as a defensive quality control coach under defensive coordinator Richard Smith. In January 2009, he was promoted to assistant linebackers coach.
Seattle Seahawks
In February 2011, Saleh was hired as the defensive quality control coach for the Seattle Seahawks under Pete Carroll. He spent three seasons with the Seahawks, including their 2013 championship season when they defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. During this span the defense was known as the Legion of Boom.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Following the Seahawks’ championship, Saleh was named linebackers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars under head coach Gus Bradley.
San Francisco 49ers
On February 13, 2017, Saleh was named defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers under head coach Kyle Shanahan.
During the 2019 season, the 49ers defense was sixth in the league in forced turnovers (27), second in total defense (281.8 yards per game), first in passing defense (169.2 yards per game), and fourth in sacks (48). This was the first time since 2003 that the 49ers finished in the top 10 in both scoring and yards per game. Saleh helped lead the team to a 13-3 record and a Super Bowl LIV berth, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.
New York Jets
On January 14, 2021, Saleh signed a five-year contract to become the head coach of the New York Jets.
Head coaching record
| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
| NYJ | 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | — | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | .000 | |||
Personal life
Saleh and his wife, Sanaa, have four sons and two daughters. He is the first Muslim head coach in NFL history upon his hiring by the Jets. He is also the third Arab American head coach of the NFL. Saleh was the best man at Green Bay Packers’ head coach Matt LaFleur’s wedding, as the two became close while working as graduate assistants at Central Michigan.