As the New York Jets search for their new head coach, their previous head coach has moved one step closer to potentially landing his second opportunity in the role.
On Tuesday morning, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ official X account revealed a list of the team’s eight interview requests for their head coach vacancy. Among those listed was Robert Saleh, who was fired by New York after Week 5 of the 2024 season.
Saleh is currently employed as an offensive consultant with the Green Bay Packers’ coaching staff. Since Green Bay is preparing for a playoff game this weekend, Jacksonville must place a request to interview him.
If Saleh were to land the Jaguars’ job, it would not be his first stop in Jacksonville. Saleh was a linebackers coach for the Jaguars from 2014-16, serving under head coach Gus Bradley.
The Jaguars fired head coach Doug Pederson after the end of the 2024 season. In three seasons with Jacksonville, the former Super Bowl-winning coach went 22-29. Pederson led Jacksonville to a 9-8 record and a playoff appearance in his first season, adding one playoff victory, and he had them off to an 8-3 start in 2023. From there, Jacksonville went 5-18 over the remainder of Pederson’s tenure, culminating in his exodus.
Saleh would not be the first Jets head coach to land another job the season after being fired by New York. It was last done by Rex Ryan, who joined the Bills in 2015 after six seasons with the Jets. Coincidentally enough, Ryan will interview with the Jets for their head coach opening today.
Not long before Ryan, Eric Mangini would become the head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 2009 immediately after he was fired by the Jets.
