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Redskins: 30 candidates who could potentially replace Jay Gruden as head coach

By Jacob Camenker

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 06: head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers calls a timeout in the fourth quarter during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on October 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 06: head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers calls a timeout in the fourth quarter during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on October 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 29: Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles #45 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh after intercepting a pass by the Los Angeles Chargers during the preseason game at Levi’s Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 29: Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles #45 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh after intercepting a pass by the Los Angeles Chargers during the preseason game at Levi’s Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

42. . Defensive Coordinator. San Francisco 49ers. Robert Saleh. 4. player

Previously: 7

Robert Saleh wasn’t the best-known candidate on this list when it was first created. But after the 49ers started the season an undefeated 8-0, he is getting more attention. And rightfully so.

Saleh has a pretty impressive resume and at just age 40, he could be the next, great, young defensive coach. He has spent the past three seasons as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. Each year, the team has drastically improved under his watch in so far in 2019, they are playing at a high level. He simply knows how to get the best out of his players and that will make him an appealing head coaching candidate.

Since coming into the NFL coaching ranks in 2005, Saleh has learned under some strong coaches including Gary Kubiak, Pete Carroll, and Kyle Shanahan. He worked with the Seahawks as a defensive quality control assistant when their defense emerged as the league’s best and also got a chance to coach linebackers with Gus Bradley for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has worked on some solid staffs and for a 40-year-old coaching candidate, he has a lot of excellent defensive experience.

Saleh’s overall talent could intrigue the Redskins, a team that has a lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball that it hasn’t been able to tap into. He would be a sure-fire upgrade over the last two defensive leaders they’ve had in Joe Barry and Greg Manusky, so from that standpoint, bringing Saleh aboard would make sense.

If the 49ers defense keeps playing well, Saleh could move up quite a bit on this list. For now, he definitely is a top-10 option in this coaching search and there are few defensive coaching candidates that have more upside than Saleh.

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