Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh is on the verge of becoming an HC in the NFL once again.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter revealed on Sunday, January 18, that Saleh is one of “three finalists” for the Tennessee Titans’ vacant head coaching gig.
The others in the running are Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
Things Are Heating up for Saleh and the Titans
NFL Insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic said Saleh was scheduled to participate in a virtual interview on Sunday, January 18, with the Titans.
However, they canceled that Zoom call because “the organization collected enough information to move forward with an in-person [meeting] tomorrow.”
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport said Saleh is a “serious candidate” to land the HC gig with the Titans.
Nagy will meet with Tennessee on Monday, January 19, in the morning. Saleh will have his meeting with the team in the afternoon. Finally, Hafley is scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, per Rapoport.
NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero described Hafley as a “frontrunner for the Dolphins head coaching job. No final decisions made. More interviews are scheduled. Four other teams have requested second interviews with Hafley. But he appears to be the leading candidate in Miami.”
No final decisions made. More interviews are scheduled. Four other teams have requested second interviews with Hafley. But he appears to be the leading candidate in Miami.
If that comes to fruition, then Saleh would have a 50-50 shot of becoming the next head coach of Tennessee, with Nagy being potentially the only other remaining finalist.
NFL Insider Albert Breer revealed on social media that Tennessee chose to accelerate the process of finding its next HC.
Saleh completed his interview with the Ravens on Sunday, January 18, according to Baltimore’s official X account. Schefter said he will now head to Tennessee for his in-person interview on Monday, January 19.
Saleh’s First Experience as an HC Was an Epic Disaster
Saleh, 46, was fired amid his fourth season as the head coach of the Jets. He finished with a 20-36 record. Saleh had a pair of seven-win seasons, a four-win campaign, and he was 2-3 in 2024 before he was fired ahead of Week 6 of that season.
According to the Yahoo Sports head coach interview tracker, Saleh has interviewed for or has been requested for four of the eight HC openings.
That group includes the Dolphins, Titans, Arizona Cardinals, and the Baltimore Ravens.
Chicken Salad out of Chicken You Know What
After being fired by the Jets, Saleh returned to the San Francisco 49ers to be their defensive coordinator again.
The telltale of the 49ers‘ season has been injuries, particularly on defense. According to San Francisco’s team website, they have eight defensive players on injured reserve.
That included some massive names like four-time first-team All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa.
Despite these massive losses, Saleh was able to wrangle this island of misfit toy players together and make it to the NFC divisional round of the playoffs.
Now, Saleh could be rewarded for those efforts with a second chance at being a head coach in the National Football League.
Ex-Jets Coach Robert Saleh a HC Finalist for AFC Squad