San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan says he reached out to his former defensive coordinator and fired New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh after his sudden firing on Tuesday.
Saleh was surprisingly and unceremoniously ousted from the Jets after going 20-36 in four seasons.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Shanahan says he reached out to Saleh but did not have a chance to speak with him fully.
“I texted him, but I haven’t been able to talk to him,” Shanahan told reporters. “I was quite surprised.”
Added Shanahan: “Things throw you off, especially when they’re competing for first place in the division this week, and I think they’re up there defensively, have a pretty good team and a chance to have an incredible year.” “It was pretty surprising.”
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said he reached out to fired Jets coach Robert Saleh
Saleh fired after disappointing 2-3 start to season for Jets
Saleh was fired from the top of the Jets position at Florham Park on Tuesday after a 2-3 start to the season in New York.
Saleh was reportedly “blindsided” by team owner Woody Johnson’s decision.
Johnson said he consulted with team general manager Joe Douglas before firing Saleh, but said the decision was his and his alone.
Saleh was shown the door two days after the Jets lost a 23-17 game against the Minnesota Vikings in London, in which New York’s defense had a strong second half.
The Jets’ defense may have been strong, but the offense has lacked spark, despite a healthy Aaron Rodgers.
Part of the blame falls on offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, with reports indicating that Saleh wanted to fire him just before he himself was ejected.
Saleh was the 49ers’ defensive coordinator before taking the head coaching job in New York. He helped turn them into a strong unit and was part of the team’s run to Super Bowl LIV, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.