You know what they say: If you can’t lead ’em, defeat ’em. This exact motto might be stored in the back of Robert Saleh’s mind at this very moment.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the New York Jets’ most bitter historic rivals, the Miami Dolphins, have requested to interview the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator for their vacant head coaching position.
Saleh, 46, returned to become Kyle Shanahan’s defensive coordinator last offseason, after three-plus years as the Jets’ head coach. His 20-36 record over 56 games ranks his .357 winning percentage tied for 14th out of 22 coaches in franchise history (including every coach with at least one game in the books).
While Saleh’s immediate focus is on the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round this Sunday, his name has resurfaced as a hot head coaching candidate around the league. Fortunately for his sake, eight organizations have vacancies.
The Miami Dolphins are firmly one of the eight—having fired Mike McDaniel on Thursday.
Interestingly, Saleh and McDaniel are known buddies—having worked together under Shanahan in the past. How Saleh feels about the Dolphins organization is another matter entirely; it’s completely unknown whether Saleh would be interested in the gig.
If he does, and returns to the AFC East, Saleh would have the opportunity to take on his former team twice a season.
Saleh’s incredibly banged-up defense finished the season 20th in total defense (340.2 yards allowed per game) and 13th in points allowed (21.8 per game).
John Harbaugh remains the hottest coaching candidate in the league, and his name continues to be connected to the Dolphins. However, their recent hire of Green Bay Packers’ 22-year product Jon-Eric Sullivan as head coach has cooled off the Harbaugh-to-Miami rumors.
