From hot seat to genius, Robert Saleh is on the rise, and so is his defense

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It’s a simple sports cliche, but it couldn’t be truer — winning solves everything. Winning makes days go by easier, bad players look better and coaches look smarter. No one is a better product of winning solving everything than 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. 

Saleh’s 49er defense is ranking top 10 in almost every defensive statistical category. Points allowed, rushing yards allowed, passing yards allowed and yards per game — all top 10.

More important than the stats, the 49ers can now rely on their defense — something they haven’t been able to do in the Kyle Shanahan era. The 49ers offense surrendered five turnovers against the Pittsburgh Steelers and with each turnover, the defense stood strong.

With the 49ers rocking a 3-0 record led by the defense, Saleh is getting a lot of credit for the team’s success and rightfully so. Saleh’s defense is quickly blossoming into one of the best units in the NFL and people are starting to notice. 

Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated’s Monday Morning Quarterback tapped Saleh as a coordinator to watch in the NFL’s next coaching cycle and 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman agrees. 

Sherman said he “100-percent” believes Saleh has what it takes to be a head coach in the NFL. 

"I don't get to call those shots but, if people are being smart, they will understand how prepared he is. If he ever gets a shot to interview for a head-coaching job, he'll blow them away," Sherman said. “He’s a football genius.” 

Rewind to last season and things couldn’t be more different for the DC. Saleh’s name was attached to the “hot seat” label and now he's a "football genius." Saleh’s defense looked confused and disorganized at times. The defense rarely created pressure and had many gaffs in the secondary. 

The 49ers defense looked tight and locked up on the field. The days of “all gas, no brakes” were gone until 2019. With each game this season the 49ers swagger and confidence became more apparent. 

The 49ers consistently ranked near the bottom in turnovers, but in 2019 they rank near the top— what’s the root of Saleh’s drastic changes? 

Is it the arrival of Nick Bosa and Dee Ford? Is it Kwon Alexander? What about the rest of the coaching staff? 

Saleh’s taken the CEO approach to the defense with veteran coaches and it’s working. Saleh brought on Joe Woods and Kris Kocurek as position coaches this season and each unit have benefitted. Kocurek and Woods have brought a bounty of experience to the 49ers coaching staff alongside Saleh. 

Kocurek installed the wide-nine defense that’s maximized the 49ers bevy of pass rushers and Woods has the secondary looking polished. On top of that, both Kocurek and Woods have gotten underwhelming players like Ahkello Witherspoon and Arik Armstead to take the next step. 

The #49ers have had at least one defender in the PFF Team of the Week each week of the season. This time it's K'Waun Williams in the slot! pic.twitter.com/wUiL8h5gq1

— PFF SF 49ers (@PFF_49ers) September 26, 2019

Sherman credits Saleh’s past as to why he’s able to get the most out of his staff and players. 

“He's much better at relating to people and relating to his team and having a feel for his team because he's been around so many great head coaches. Kyle, Pete Carroll, Ken Norton, Gus Bradley,” said Sherman. “He's been around guys who have been great at dealing with players and people."

This is the best way to use Solomon Thomas: one on one against a center. Thomas whips him and hits the QB. Robert Saleh is in the zone. pic.twitter.com/wGWq4TlNZy

— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) September 24, 2019

If the 49ers defense continues to perform at the clip they’re on, Sahleh’s name will continue to float on in the future coaching circle — but it’s still early. Stability and consistency make defenses great for the long haul. All eyes will be on Saleh as the 49ers face their first real test on Monday vs. the Cleveland Browns.