The San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh’s role in where the 49ers currently stand (4-2) in the season can’t be ignored. That’s the reason why head coach Kyle Shanahan signed Robert Saleh this year. But it looks like Shanahan might lose his favorite DC whenever a new head coach position opens up.

The Tennessee Titans became the first team this season in the league to fire their head coach mid-season. But they might not be the last. And when the new head coaching vacancy opens up, the one name that is always on the list of contenders is Robert Saleh.

NFL reporter Dianna Russini published a list of defensive coordinators to watch if a new head coaching position opens up this season. The list included prominent names such as Chargers DC Jesse Minter, Jaguars DC Anthony Campanile, and others, along with Robert Saleh.

Back in the offseason, the 49ers’ new addition made headlines, and it wasn’t a player —it was Saleh.

Entering the season, he was ranked sixth among defensive coordinators by Pro Football Network. But this was not the first time Saleh joined the 49ers.

Saleh joined the 49ers in 2017 as defensive coordinator. It was the same year Kyle Shanahan took over as HC. He held the job for four seasons and led San Francisco to the Super Bowl in 2019. That year, the defense ranked first in passing yards allowed per game (169.2), earning Saleh the Sporting News Coordinator of the Year honor.

He later left for the New York Jets’ head coach role after they fired Joe Judge. That was the first of the major losses for Shanahan’s staff. Saleh’s 2019 success had already boosted his head-coaching stock. And if he repeats that kind of run now, Shanahan could lose him again. Something he even addressed back in April at the NFL’s annual meeting in Florida.

“You understand that’s his ultimate goal. And that is for almost every coach,” Shanahan acknowledged. “So, if we had a hell of a year and we lost Saleh to another team, I’d be happy for him… Disappointed for us. But I think that would mean we were doing some pretty good things, too”

But Saleh’s chances of becoming a head coach will gain momentum only if a team copies the Titans’ midseason move. Also, Saleh will have to show his potential through the 49ers’ defensive performance. And it looks like Saleh is up to it with new roster decisions.

Saleh is forced to make roster changes after injury

The 49ers lost linebacker Fred Warner to a season-ending ankle injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Week 6 battle. Although even Saleh knows it is impossible to replace Warner, who has 4 first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl nods, with the current season stats soaring high at 51 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 recovered.

But Saleh has turned to second-year linebacker Tatum Bethune in Warner’s absence. And the DC believes Bethune has what it takes to deliver the best on the field.

“Tatum’s made of the right stuff. He works the right way. He communicates the right way, he does things the right way, he’s very confident in his ability” Saleh said.  “I’ve said this to a million people as it pertains to drop off. I dare any of you to go to Tatum and say, ‘well, you’re a backup.’ Tatum doesn’t see that. His teammates don’t see that”

Saleh is quite clear about Bethune’s role. He will be the defensive signal caller, while Dee Winters will start at linebacker and Luke Gifford will continue to see playing time.