Robert Saleh is glad to be away from no less than one a part of head teaching responsibility.
The previous Jets coach, now again in his previous digs as defensive coordinator of the 49ers, instructed reporters Thursday that he’s glad “to not cope with all the executive stuff that comes with being a head coach” and may now deal with teaching soccer.
“The angle, and that’s what was thrilling about coming again. Simply being in a constructing the place I used to be as soon as a coordinator and now having a world view,” Saleh mentioned. “There’s quite a lot of empathy now understanding what [49ers coach] Kyle [Shanahan’s] going by and attempting to assist him out finest I can.”
Saleh, who went 20-36 over three-plus seasons with the Jets earlier than being fired after a 2-3 begin final season, mentioned there was no temptation to go anyplace however San Francisco, the place he was defensive coordinator for 4 seasons earlier than taking the Jets job.
“I’ve an amazing quantity of respect for this group. Clearly beginning on the prime, [owner] Jed [York] is phenomenal. However Kyle, his household, [GM] John [Lynch], they gave me a lot,” Saleh mentioned.
“Throughout the primary two years, you concentrate on these first two years as D coordinator, ’17 and ’18, it wasn’t simple. And it might’ve been very simple for them to maneuver on from me. I’m indebted to this group, these me for the remainder of my life. They caught with me, made it occur, did what we would have liked to do and the remainder is historical past. I’m excited in regards to the alternative to get an opportunity to do it once more.”
Saleh’s protection helped lead the 49ers to a Tremendous Bowl look in 2020 earlier than he was employed in New York. His Jets tenure, nevertheless, by no means fairly received on monitor.
For the primary two years, the membership struggled to attempt to develop Zach Wilson earlier than lastly showing to maneuver on when it introduced in Aaron Rodgers in 2023.
That experiment, although, turned out to be an unmitigated catastrophe. Rodgers tore his Achilles in his first look with the Jets, and when wholesome final season, regarded extra like a 40-plus-year-old quarterback than a former MVP.
Fixed off-field distractions dotted the quarterback’s time in New York as properly, and Saleh was unceremoniously fired after the Jets dropped their Week 5 recreation in London in opposition to Minnesota.
“You be taught rather a lot. I’ve mentioned it earlier than, there isn’t a handbook for a first-time head coach, there’s no handbook for first time going by life,” Saleh mentioned. “You be taught rather a lot by the method, you determine rather a lot about your self, you perceive and decide up if you happen to look inward and looking out the mirror, you’ll be able to determine a few of the stuff you did improper, a few of the stuff you love to do in another way.
“Anytime you get an expertise that’s totally different than those you’ve all the time skilled, you could have a chance to develop. So there’s been quite a lot of self reflection and development in that regard.”
