Robert Saleh is back in the place where he truly made a name for himself as one of the best defensive coaches in the NFL. The San Francisco 49ers announced on Friday night that they have hired Saleh as their defensive coordinator, reuniting with the coach who previously spent four years in that role from 2017-2020.

Saleh was previously the 49ers defensive coordinator from 2017–20 until taking the head coaching job with the New York Jets.

The San Francisco 49ers are bringing back Robert Saleh for a second stint as defensive coordinator after a failed tenure as head coach of the New York Jets. A person familiar with the choice told The Associated Press on Friday night that Saleh will rejoin the Niners after leaving to take over the Jets following the 2020 season.