There are a handful of current NFL head coaches who were hired after being assistants under San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. Current defensive coordinator Robert Saleh already seems to be drawing some consideration for head coach openings in 2027.

After earning his first coordinator role with San Francisco in 2017, Saleh spent three years with the organization, including a Super Bowl appearance. From there, he was hired as head coach of the New York Jets, where he coached for three and a half seasons, twice recording a record of 7-10. In their first year under Aaron Glenn, the Jets went 3-14.

Now, as the 49ers prepare to head into Philadelphia for the Wild Card Round, Saleh is drawing consideration for another head coach opening. Teams that have fired their head coaches since the regular season’s conclusion last week include the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens, and Tennessee Titans.

The Cardinals have requested permission to interview San Francisco’s coordinator for their head coach position, per Jordan Schultz.

Sources: The #Cardinals have requested to interview #49ers DC Robert Saleh for their vacant HC position.

Saleh, the former #Jets HC, had interviews last year with several teams and is back in the cycle again this season. pic.twitter.com/NXMOpFbhbT

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 6, 2026

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler also linked Saleh to the Las Vegas and Tennessee openings.

“Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh should be a player for multiple head coaching jobs, Tennessee and Las Vegas come to mind,” Fowler reported. “Saleh is expected to get an interview with the Titans, and he acquitted himself well in his Raiders interviews last year.”

Saleh will be competing with a slew of intriguing candidates, with many placing former Ravens HC Jim Harbaugh as the best available coach. In the meantime, he’ll attempt to shore up San Francisco’s constantly injured defense as they aim to play a home Super Bowl as Levi Stadium is set to play host.

More San Francisco 49ers coverage on Sactown Sports

The San Francisco 49ers today announced they have promoted LB Eric Kendricks to the active roster from the team’s practice squad. In order to make room on the roster, the team placed LB Tatum Bethune on the Injured Reserve List.

In addition, the team signed LB Kyzir White to the practice squad, opened the practice window for WR Jacob Cowing (Injured Reserve List) and signed LB Milo Eifler to a Reserve/Future contract.

Kendricks (6-0, 232) was originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round (45th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft. Throughout his 11-year career with the Vikings (2015-22), Los Angeles Chargers (2023), Dallas Cowboys (2024) and 49ers (2025), he has appeared in 150 games (143 starts) where he registered 1,180 tackles, 21.5 sacks, 11 interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 60 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.

He has also appeared in six postseason contests (all starts), tallying 43 tackles, seven passes defensed, 1.0 sack and one interception. In 2025, Kendricks signed to San Francisco’s practice squad on November 26 where he has appeared in three games (one start) and registered six tackles with the team.

Read More:

49ers announce series of roster moves ahead of Wild Card

Upcoming San Francisco 49ers Schedule

Sunday January 11th – NFC Wild Card Round – @ Philadelphia Eagles – 1:30 PM PT

Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on Twitter and Google News, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.