Robert Saleh was encouraged by one of his former Jets players as he officially landed a new job Friday night.
Saleh, who was relieved of his duties as Jets head coach last fall, was announced As the 49ers' new defensive coordinator, the same role he played in San Francisco from 2017-20.
And New York cornerback Sauce Gardner seemed happy for his former coach when he reacted to the move.
“Sheeesh”, he wrote in x In response to the news, along with three fire emojis.
Gardner thrived under the defensive-minded Saleh as he won Defensive Rookie of the Year and began his career with a pair of first-team All-Pro selections.
Saleh joined the Jets in 2021, coaching the team for more than three seasons until he was fired after a Week 5 loss to the Vikings this season.
Robert Saleh has landed a new job as defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers
Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner cheered for Saleh from afar when his new move was announced
From 2022-23, the Jets defense ranked first in passing yards allowed per game and opponent yards per game under Saleh, as the 49ers noted.
While Saleh was expected to get the 49ers defensive coordinator job starting Thursday, per The athletic Reporting, his return to San Francisco did not become official until the Cowboys named Brian Schottenheimer their new head coach.
Saleh had interviewed for the Cowboys head coaching position, and also met with the Raiders and Jaguars regarding their head coaching vacancies.
Vegas ultimately went with Pete Carroll, while the Jaguars landed on Liam Coen after his impressive U-turn.
The former Bucs offensive coordinator, after an initial virtual interview with Jacksonville, agreed to remain in Tampa Bay, only to resign and take the Jaguars job after all. The change of heart notably came after the Jaguars fired GM Trent Baalke.
Meanwhile, Saleh's former franchise has also settled into a new hierarchy, as Gang Green hired former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to become its head coach.
Reporter Josina Anderson He later said that Denver Broncos assistant GM Darren Mougey would also join the Jets as their new general manager (former GM Joe Douglas was fired on November 19).