The Cowboys have conducted their second head coaching interview after parting ways with Mike McCarthy. Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh completed his interview with the team on Saturday.
Saleh, 45, most recently worked as an offensive consultant for the Green Bay Packers after being fired by the Jets on October 8, following a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5. During his time as the Jets’ head coach, Saleh led the team for three full seasons and five games, finishing with a 20-36 record.
However, the Cowboys are not the only team interested in Saleh’s coaching abilities. He also interviewed for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ head coaching position on January 14 and is expected to meet with the Las Vegas Raiders for their own head coaching job. Furthermore, Saleh interviewed for the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator role on January 9, a position he previously held before becoming the Jets’ head coach.
“We have completed an in-person interview with Robert Saleh for our Head Coach position,” the Cowboys shared on Twitter on January 18, 2025.
Before his firing, the Jets had a strong start to the season under Saleh. Through the first five games of the year, they ranked first in yards per play, second in yards per pass attempt, second in opposing yards per game, and fifth in points allowed per game defensively.
Saleh is widely recognized as one of the NFL’s top defensive minds. Under his leadership, the Jets’ defense was one of the best in the league, finishing in the top five in yards allowed per game in both 2022 and 2023. Additionally, the Jets were in the top four for passing defense and top 12 in points allowed during those two seasons.
Before his time with the Jets, Saleh served as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers from 2017 to 2020, working under head coach Kyle Shanahan. During his tenure, the 49ers’ defense ranked 13th or better in total yards allowed per game each year from 2018 to 2020. In 2019, San Francisco had the top-ranked passing defense and the second-best overall defense, which helped the team reach Super Bowl LIV.
Saleh’s NFL career began in 2005 with the Houston Texans, where he started as a defensive intern. He was later promoted to defensive quality control coach and assistant linebackers coach. In 2011, he joined the Seattle Seahawks and was part of the staff that won Super Bowl XLVIII in 2013.
After that, he became the linebackers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2014 to 2016, before moving to the 49ers as defensive coordinator in 2017. In total, 2025 will mark Saleh’s 20th season in the NFL.
The Cowboys have already completed their first head coaching interview with Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore on Friday and are set to interview Seattle Seahawks assistant head coach Leslie Frazier on Monday.
