Jacksonville Jaguars should bring back Robert Saleh—this time as head coach
The Jacksonville Jaguars could use a defensive-minded coach like Robert Saleh.
Saleh previously spent time with the Jaguars as their linebackers coach from 2014 to 2016 before joining the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 as their defensive coordinator. Considering how Saleh has been the founding father of one of the league’s best defenses, Jacksonville was wrong to let him go in the first place. Had he stayed, he likely would have replaced Doug Marrone as head coach by now.
The first few years in San Francisco didn’t go too well for Saleh’s defense but last season everything changed. The 49ers drafted rookie defensive end Nick Bosa and the entire culture of the 49ers’ defense changed. Their defense was a major part in helping them reach the Super Bowl, where they ultimately lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 32-20. Unfortunately, injuries have prevented the 49ers’ defense from reaching their max potential again this season.
How can Robert Saleh help the Jaguars?
Not every great coordinator will make a successful head coach. But it’s worked for Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, Matt LeFleur, and Mike Vrabel so far.
Robert Saleh is too much of a defensive guru to not give a chance at a head coaching position. The 49ers have already been eliminated from playoff contention so as soon as their season concludes on January 3rd, the Jaguars need to make a pounce.
Jacksonville would be a great fit for Saleh. They have a very young and talented defense who just needs someone like Saleh who can change the culture of the locker room, re-invent the defensive scheme, bring in experienced players, and find draft gems.
Watching film from this season, the Jaguars have a tendency to run cover 1 with a 4-3 under front on the defensive line. This hasn’t been working for them. Saleh likes to run a Cover 3 Wide-9 alignment in San Francisco, which means two cornerbacks and one safety are each responsible for a third of the field while the defensive ends line up out wide in a 9-technique.
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Adding capable personnel would go a long way in revitalizing the Jaguars’ defense and hopefully, they realize how dire this hiring process is.