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New York Giants: Short list for the next head coach

By Matthew Travis

Pat Shurmur, New York Giants. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
Pat Shurmur, New York Giants. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, San Francisco 49ers. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, San Francisco 49ers. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

2. Robert Saleh

The first defensive-minded head coach we have on this list comes in at number two, Robert Saleh. Saleh, the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator, has done an outstanding job with the Niners and is one of the biggest reasons why San Francisco a top-five defense in the NFL.

Saleh is the only coach on this list who has never held a head coaching job at any level, but he is more than capable to do so.

Saleh’s resume:

  • Michigan State defensive assistant (2002-2003)
  • Central Michigan defensive assistant (2004)
  • Georgia defensive assistant (2005)
  • Texans defensive intern, defensive quality control coach, assistant linebackers coach (2005-2010)
  • Seahawks defensive quality control coach (2011-2013)
  • Jaguars linebackers coach (2014-2016)
  • 49ers defensive coordinator (2017-current)
  • 2017 NFC Champion

It wasn’t until 2017 that he became a coordinator, but looking at some of those defenses, it is quite amazing the talent he has helped coach. However, this year according to advanced statistics, Saleh’s 49ers defense is ranked fifth in the NFL behind only the Patriots, Bills, Bears and Ravens. Coming into last Sunday the Niners were ranked third but slipped a bit after their loss to the Falcons.

In 2016, the year before Saleh got there, San Francisco’s defense was dead last. The fact that in three years he turned them around from 32nd to fifth and is a large reason why the 49ers sit at 11-3, shows me that he is ready to be a head coach.

Saleh will undoubtedly be one of the names at the top of just about every team’s list who is looking for a new head coach. There is absolutely no reason why he shouldn’t be near the top of the Giants list as well.

The 49ers have allowed only 3,766 yards and 27 touchdowns this season while gathering 26 total takeaways. The yards and touchdowns through 14 games are slightly over half of what they allowed in 2016 before he got there. One could only imagine what he could do with the Giants defense, currently ranked 27th in the NFL.

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