Cowboys Coaching Race Heats Up as Saleh Makes Major Move

Robert Saleh got the boot from the New York Jets five games into the 2024 season, ending a brutal head coaching tenure seemingly snakebitten from the start. That fallout would not shake his prospects as a top candidate in the coaching cycle this offseason.

Both the Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars interviewed Saleh for their head coaching vacancies in recent days. While not offering the same position, the San Francisco 49ers had interest in him as well to return to the place where his coaching stardom began.

The Niners had the most interest in him from the start, essentially gambling their fortunes of replacing Nick Sorensen on Saleh’s return. Thursday, their gamble paid off.

Saleh is returning to San Francisco as the team’s defensive coordinator, according to a report from TheAthletic. His candidacy never seemed viable though he was a strong candidate to take over in Jacksonville.

However, the coaching cycle dominoes fell in line for a Niners return after a series of events played out in favor of San Francisco.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen emerged as a clear favorite for the Jaguars within the last few days, essentially having claim to the job as of Wednesday morning. Coen suddenly turned that offer down in favor of a return to the Bucs.

Saleh was next in line, having reported a flight scheduled to Jacksonville for a second interview with the team on Friday. But the Jaguars moved fast to make amends for losing Coen the first time, firing general manager Trent Baalke and reconnecting with Coen.

The Jaguars’ decision to commit to an offensive-minded coach then gave way for Saleh to come back to the Bay Area. Saleh’s first stint with the Niners’ lasted from 2017-2020 where he helped construct the team’s “all gas, no brake” defense.

The Cowboys may have visited with Saleh simply to fulfill the Rooney Rule requirements as they’ve moved on with a focus on having Brian Schottenheimer playing a key role moving forward.