Robert Saleh

Last updated

Robert Saleh
2024 Jets vs Titans HC Robert Saleh (cropped).png
Saleh with the New York Jets in 2024
Green Bay Packers
Position:Offensive consultant
Personal information
Born: (1979-01-31) January 31, 1979 (age 45)
Dearborn, Michigan, U.S.
Career information
High school: Fordson
(Dearborn, Michigan)
College: Northern Michigan (1997–2000)
Career history
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Head coaching record
Regular season:20–36 (.357)
Record  at Pro Football Reference

Robert Saleh (born January 31, 1979) is an American professional football coach who is an offensive consultant for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He recently was the head coach of the New York Jets from 2021 to 2024. He has been assistant coach for the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, and San Francisco 49ers. Saleh has appeared in two Super Bowls, one each with the Seahawks and 49ers, winning Super Bowl XLVIII with the former.

Contents

Early life

Born to Lebanese immigrants [1] in Dearborn, Michigan, Saleh is a 1997 graduate of Fordson High School [2] [3] He attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette from 1997 to 2001, [4] [5] where he earned a degree in finance and was a four-year starter for the Wildcats, earning all-conference honors as a tight end. [2] [6]

Saleh's brother David was in the South Tower during the September 11 attacks in New York City in 2001 and saw the fireball from the initial plane's impact on the North Tower from the building's 61st floor. After ignoring calls by the public intercom within the South Tower to return to their offices, he made it down to the 24th floor before the second plane hit, this time around 50 floors above in his tower. He safely made it to the lobby and was able to escape to safety. [7] Saleh credits this in providing the spark for him to pursue his dreams of coaching football. [8]

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) [6] and the University of Georgia (2005). [2]

Houston Texans

In 2005, Saleh was hired as an intern with the Houston Texans, working with the defensive unit. [9] In February 2006, he was retained in Gary Kubiak's staff as a defensive quality control coach under defensive coordinator Richard Smith. [9] [10] [11] In January 2009, he was promoted to assistant linebackers coach. [12] [13]

Seattle Seahawks

In February 2011, Saleh was hired as the defensive quality control coach for the Seattle Seahawks under Pete Carroll. [14] He spent three seasons with the Seahawks, including their 2013 championship season when they defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. [3] During this span the defense was known as the Legion of Boom.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Following the Seahawks' 2013 championship, Saleh was named linebackers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars under head coach Gus Bradley. [2] [15] Saleh was not retained under new head coach Doug Marrone.

San Francisco 49ers

Saleh with the San Francisco 49ers in 2019 49ers at Redskins 2019, Robert Saleh (48936893478) (cropped).jpg
Saleh with the San Francisco 49ers in 2019

On February 13, 2017, Saleh was named defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers under new head coach Kyle Shanahan. Shanahan and Saleh previously were assistant coaches for the Houston Texans from 2006–2009. [16]

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. [17] Saleh helped lead the team to a 13–3 record and a Super Bowl LIV berth, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, 31–20. [18] [19]

New York Jets

On January 14, 2021, Saleh signed a five-year contract to become the head coach of the New York Jets. [20]

On September 12, 2021, Saleh lost in his head coaching debut against the Carolina Panthers by a score of 19–14. He won his first game as a head coach three weeks later in a 27–24 overtime victory over the Tennessee Titans. In his first season as head coach, the Jets finished 4–13, [21] missing the playoffs for the eleventh consecutive year. [22] In the 2022 and 2023 seasons, he led the team to 7–10 record in both seasons, missing the playoffs. [23] [24]

On October 8, 2024, Saleh was fired by the Jets after the team began the season with a 2–3 record. Saleh finished his tenure in New York with a 20–36 (.357) regular season record, overall. [25]

Green Bay Packers

On October 23, 2024, Packers coach Matt LaFleur confirmed to reporters that he had enlisted Saleh in a consultant role to help him with the offensive gameplan, but that his role would be "fluid". [26]

Head coaching record

TeamYearRegular seasonPostseason
WonLostTiesWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result
NYJ 2021 4130.2354th in AFC East
NYJ 2022 7100.4124th in AFC East
NYJ 2023 7100.4123rd in AFC East
NYJ 2024 230.400Fired
Total20360.35700.000

Personal life

Saleh and his wife, Sanaa, have five sons and two daughters. [15] Saleh and his wife speak Arabic. [27]

Saleh is of Lebanese descent. [28] As part of an NFL heritage program, [29] he has occasionally worn a patch of the national flag of Lebanon sewn onto his sideline gear. [30] [31] Upon his hiring by the Jets, he became the first Muslim head coach in NFL history. [32] [33] He is also the fourth Arab-American head coach of the NFL, after Ed Khayat (Philadelphia Eagles 1971–72), Abe Gibron (Chicago Bears 1972–1974), and Rich Kotite (Philadelphia Eagles 1991–94), who are all also of Lebanese descent. [34]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete Carroll</span> American football coach (born 1951)

Peter Clay Carroll is an American football executive and former coach who is an advisor for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He was previously the head football coach at the University of Southern California (USC) from 2001 to 2009 and the head coach of the Seahawks from 2010 to 2023. Carroll is the third and most recent head coach to win a college football national championship and a Super Bowl along with Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Holmgren</span> American football player, coach, and executive (born 1948)

Michael George Holmgren is an American former football coach and executive in the National Football League (NFL). He began his NFL career as a quarterbacks' coach and later as an offensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers, where they won Super Bowls XXIII and XXIV. He served as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 1992 to 1998, where he won Super Bowl XXXI, and of the Seattle Seahawks from 1999 to 2008. His last role in the NFL was as team president of the Cleveland Browns from 2010 to 2012. Prior to his career in the NFL, Holmgren coached football at the high school and collegiate levels.

Raymond Earl Rhodes is a former American football player and coach. Rhodes played wide receiver and cornerback for the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers. He served as the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL), as well as the former assistant defensive backs coach of the Houston Texans. He earned five Super Bowl rings as an assistant coach with the San Francisco 49ers, and was named Coach of the Year by the Associated Press in 1995, his first season as Eagles head coach. He last served as the senior defensive assistant for the Cleveland Browns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Zgonina</span> American football player and coach (born 1970)

Jeffrey Marc Zgonina is an American football coach and former player who currently serves as the defensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys. He played as a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the 1993 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Izzo</span> American football player and coach (born 1974)

Lawrence Alexander Izzo is an American professional football coach and former linebacker who is the special teams coordinator for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Rice Owls and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Miami Dolphins in 1996. A three-time Pro Bowl selection and All-Pro selection for the New England Patriots, he won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and one as a coach with the New York Giants.

The 2000 NFL season was the 81st regular season of the National Football League (NFL). The season ended with Super Bowl XXXV when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants, 34–7, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Ulbrich</span> American football player and coach (born 1977)

Jeffery Wade Ulbrich is an American professional football coach and former linebacker who is the defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Hawaii and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round in the 2000 NFL draft and played for the 49ers from 2000 to 2009.

Kris Richard is an American football coach and former player who is the defensive backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as an assistant coach for the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, and New Orleans Saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Shanahan</span> American football coach (born 1979)

Kyle Michael Shanahan is an American professional football coach who is the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He came to prominence as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, whose offense in 2016 led the league in points scored and helped the team reach Super Bowl LI. Shanahan became the head coach of the 49ers the following season, leading the team to three division titles, four postseason appearances, four NFC Championship Game appearances, and two Super Bowl appearances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeMeco Ryans</span> American football player and coach (born 1984)

DeMeco Ryans is an American professional football coach and former linebacker who is the head coach of the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). Ryans played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he was named a unanimous All-American.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Knapp</span> American football coach (1963–2021)

Gregory Fishbeck Knapp was an American professional football coach in the National Football League (NFL). He served as an assistant coach for 25 seasons with the New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. Knapp played college football and later coached at California State University, Sacramento.

A coaching tree is similar to a family tree except it shows the relationships of coaches instead of family members. There are several ways to define a relationship between two coaches. The most common way to make the distinction is if a coach worked as an assistant on a particular head coach's staff for at least a season then that coach can be counted as being a branch on the head coach's coaching tree. Coaching trees can also show philosophical influence from one head coach to an assistant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calais Campbell</span> American football player (born 1986)

Calais Malik Campbell is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft.

Anthony Earl Oden is an American football coach and former player who is the senior defensive assistant and cornerbacks coach for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as an assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans. Oden played college football at Baldwin–Wallace College.

Brian Francisco Flores is an American professional football coach who is the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He began his NFL career with the New England Patriots, where he served as an assistant coach from 2008 to 2018. Flores was New England's defensive playcaller during his final season coaching for the team, which concluded with a victory in Super Bowl LIII. Following the victory, he served as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2019 to 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean McVay</span> American football coach (born 1986)

Sean McVay is an American professional football coach who is the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He became the youngest NFL head coach in the modern era when he was hired by the Rams in 2017 at the age of 30. McVay is also the youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl and be named NFL Coach of the Year. Prior to becoming Rams head coach, he served as a tight ends coach and offensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Quinn (American football)</span> American football coach (born 1970)

Daniel Patrick Quinn is an American football coach who is the head coach for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He came to prominence as the defensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks from 2013 to 2014, helping craft a Cover 3 defense that featured the Legion of Boom secondary. Under Quinn, Seattle made two consecutive Super Bowl appearances, winning the franchise's first in Super Bowl XLVIII.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Irvin</span> American football player (born 1987)

Bruce Pernell Irvin Jr. is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round with the 15th overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. Irvin won Super Bowl XLVIII over the Denver Broncos, and also played in Super Bowl XLIX where he became the first player ever to be ejected from a Super Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Gase</span> American football coach (born 1978)

Adam Joseph Gase is a former American football coach in the National Football League (NFL). He came to prominence as the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos from 2013 to 2014, whose offense set the NFL record for points scored in 2013 and helped the team reach Super Bowl XLVIII. Following this success, Gase served as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2016 to 2018 and the New York Jets from 2019 to 2020.

References

  1. Starr, Stephen (March 2, 2021). "Robert Saleh, son of Lebanese immigrants, is NFL's hottest coaching prospect". The National News. The National. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Robert Saleh". Jacksonville Jaguars. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  3. 1 2 Slezak, Joe (February 12, 2014). "Dearborn honors Seahawks Super Bowl champion coach Robert Saleh". The Oakland Press .
  4. Waszak Jr., Dennis (September 30, 2021). "Northern Michigan University graduate Robert Saleh gets plenty of suggestions with struggling New York Jets". The Mining Journal. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  5. Lange, Randy (January 25, 2021). "Inside the Numbers: Robert Saleh at Northern Michigan and with the 49ers". New York Jets. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  6. 1 2 "Kelly Completes Coaching Staff". Scout.com . January 23, 2004. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014.
  7. O'Connor, Ian (September 11, 2021). "Jets' Robert Saleh found football calling after brother's 9/11 experience". New York Post. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  8. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : "How We Remember 9/11 Through Football | NFL 360". YouTube . September 10, 2021.
  9. 1 2 "Texans add four coaches to staff". USA Today . Associated Press. February 2, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  10. McClain, John (February 9, 2006). "Texans to keep Carr through 2008 season". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  11. McClain, John (February 3, 2006). "Kubiak adds 3 assistants to Texans' coaching staff". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  12. "Transactions". Times-Union. Warsaw, Indiana. January 29, 2009. p. 12 via Google News.
  13. McClain, John (January 29, 2009). "Texans re-sign Gibbs, promote four coaches". Houston Chronicle .
  14. O'Neill, Danny (February 25, 2011). "Seahawks hire Carl Smith as quarterbacks coach". Seattle Times .
  15. 1 2 O'Halloran, Ryan (February 15, 2014). "Jaguars Insider: New LB coach Robert Saleh eager to work with Paul Posluszny". The Florida Times-Union . Archived from the original on December 3, 2015.
  16. Sessler, Marc (February 17, 2017). "Robert Saleh hired as 49ers' defensive coordinator". Around the NFL. National Football League . Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  17. Branch, Eric (December 30, 2019). "Now hear this: 49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo is at his best when noise is deafening". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  18. Ruiz, Steven (February 10, 2020). "We blamed the wrong 49ers coach for the Super Bowl 54 collapse". USA TODAY. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  19. Hahn, Jason (February 2, 2020). "Kansas City Chiefs Beat San Francisco 49ers to Win Super Bowl 2020". People. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  20. Lange, Randy (January 14, 2020). "Jets Reach Agreement in Principle with Robert Saleh to Become Head Coach deal". www.newyorkjets.com. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  21. "2021 New York Jets Statistics & Players". pro-football-reference.com. Sports-Reference, LLC. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  22. "Longest Active Playoff Droughts". theanalyst.com. The Analyst. January 12, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  23. "2022 New York Jets Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  24. "2023 New York Jets Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  25. Allen, Eric (October 8, 2024). "Jets Part Ways With Robert Saleh, Name Jeff Ulbrich Interim Head Coach". New York Jets. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  26. Demovsky, Rob (October 23, 2024). "Robert Saleh joins Matt LaFleur, Packers in 'fluid' role". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  27. Klemko, Robert (June 6, 2017). "Robert Saleh: The Road from 9/11 to the 49ers". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  28. Costello, Brian (2022). "Robert Saleh reacts to Brian Flores' bombshell lawsuit against NFL". Nypost.com.
  29. "NFL celebrates international diversity with NFL Heritage program". NFL.com. October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  30. "The National Football League Celebrates International Diversity with NFL Heritage Program". NFL Communications. October 19, 2023. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  31. Li, David K.; Abdelkader, Rima (October 8, 2024). "New York Jets fire coach Robert Saleh after 2-3 start and apparent tension with Aaron Rodgers". NBCNews.com. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  32. Kilgore, Adam (January 31, 2020). "Robert Saleh's rise to the Super Bowl began in a Muslim community where football is king". Washington Post . Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  33. Li, David K. (January 14, 2021). "Jets make history, hiring Robert Saleh to become Jet's first Muslim head coach". NBC News. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  34. "ADC Congratulates Robert Saleh, New Head Coach of the NY Jets". ADC. January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.