San Francisco 49ers coach Robert Saleh is drawing interest from other NFL teams in this hiring cycle, but he’s not the only one. A trio of 49ers executives are also in the running for the Miami Dolphins‘ open general manager position.
On Jan. 5, the Dolphins announced the names they have requested permission to interview for the general manager role.
From the 49ers, Miami plans to interview three key executives: Tariq Ahmad, the team’s Vice President of Player Personnel; Josh Williams, the Director of Scouting and Football Operations; and RJ Gillen, San Francisco’s Assistant General Manager.
Ahmad began his NFL career with San Francisco in 2014 as a scouting assistant. The following year, he moved up to the area scout role, focusing on the 49ers’ northeast region.
He steadily climbed the ranks, becoming director of college scouting in 2020, director of player personnel in 2023, and ultimately reaching his current position as vice president of player personnel in 2025.
Meanwhile, Williams began his career with the 49ers in 2011 as a scouting department assistant. Two years later, he moved up to the pro personnel scout position, a role he held for three seasons from 2013 to 2015.
Williams then served as the team’s southeast area scout from 2017 through 2021 before receiving a promotion to national scout in 2022. In 2025, Williams took on a new role as director of scouting and football operations.
Finally, Gillen has been with the 49ers for 11 seasons, earning a promotion to assistant general manager in 2025.
Before that, he served two years (2023-2024) as director of player personnel and three years (2021-2023) as director of pro personnel. He began his rise through the organization as a pro personnel scout from 2016 to 2020, after starting as a scouting assistant in 2015.
Robert Saleh on Browns Radar for Potential HC Job
Saleh is gaining attention in the head-coaching rumor mill, with the Cleveland Browns expressing interest. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported on Jan. 5 that Saleh is among the candidates the Browns plan to interview as they start their search.
“Saleh interviewed for the Browns head coaching vacancy in 2020 that went to Stefanski, so the Browns know him well — and like him,” Cabot wrote. “A defensive-minded head coach, he runs a 4-3 so there’d be some continuity.
“He also has previous head coaching experience with the Jets from 2021-2024, and that’s a plus, even though he went 20-36 because of quarterback problems. He’s worked closely with Kyle Shanahan and other premier coaches in the league, and has tremendous leadership skills.”
Giants, Titans Linked to 49ers’ Robert Saleh
Nonetheless, the Browns’ job isn’t the only position for which Saleh is a potential candidate. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported on Jan. 3 that Saleh will be among the names that the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans intend to interview as the two franchises begin searching for a new head coach.
“Coordinators on playoff teams who are also expected to be in the mix include Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile and Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak,” Russini wrote.
Dolphins Announce Three 49ers Executives as GM Candidates