Robert Saleh cannot personally create turnovers, rush the passer or stop the run. His return as the 49ers’ D-coordinator is no guarantee of success.

Saleh’s hiring was announced Friday night after three others — DeMeco Ryans, Steve Wilks, Nick Sorensen — succeeded him as Shanahan’s initial defensive coordinator from 2017-20.

Saleh’s hiring was announced Friday night after three others — DeMeco Ryans, Steve Wilks, Nick Sorensen — succeeded him as Shanahan’s initial defensive coordinator from 2017-20.

Coach Kyle Shanahan has cycled through DeMeco Ryans, Steve Wilks and Nick Sorensen after Saleh’s departure following the 2020 season to become head coach of the New York Jets. Saleh, 20-36 with ...

Robert Saleh set a standard with the energy he brought to the sideline, and the San Francisco 49ers are counting on his exuberance to revive the defense in 2025.

The San Francisco 49ers are welcoming back a familiar face. Robert Saleh is returning to be their defensive coordinator. Saleh previously was their defensive coordinator from 2017-2020 before leaving to become the head coach of the New York Jets.

When Saleh left the 49ers for the Jets after the 2020 season, the 49ers knew linebackers coach DeMeco Ryans was going to step into that role and he did so with rousing success. He wound up only working as the 49ers’ DC for two years before landing the head coaching job with the Houston Texans.

Robert Saleh is returning to the 49ers. The ex-Jets coach will be the defensive coordinator for San Francisco again.

Saleh was fired midway through this past season in New York, but the Jets had a strong defense under his tenure.

The 49ers on Monday hired former New York Jets assistant coach Brant Boyer as special teams coordinator. Boyer replaces Brian Schneider, who served as 49ers’ special teams coordinator for the past three seasons. Schneider was fired the day after the 49ers finished the regular season with a 6-11 record.

Saleh will be fourth defensive coordinator in four seasons for San Francisco. DeMeco Ryans, who replaced Saleh in 2021, left to become head coach in Houston following the 2022 season, and Steve Wilks and Nick Sorensen were each replaced after one season the past two years.