The Cleveland Browns weren’t the only team to want to interview 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh for a head coach opening. Michigan State football reached out to Saleh as well for their freshly-vacated head coaching spot according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Michigan State’s former head coach Mark Dantonio on Tuesday stepped down from his position after 13 seasons. The Spartans reached out to Saleh in hopes of wooing the 49ers’ defensive coordinator out of the NFL and back to the college ranks.
Saleh is a native of Dearborn, Mich. and got his first coaching job at Michigan State in 2002 – the same year he graduated from Northern Michigan University.
While it would’ve been a chance at his first head-coaching gig, Saleh opted to reject the interview to stay in Santa Clara to lead a defense that nearly led the 49ers to a Super Bowl victory in the 2019 campaign.
The Browns initially reached out to Saleh and interviewed him ahead of the 49ers’ divisional playoff game against Minnesota. He was in the running for the job until late in the process when Cleveland opted to go with Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski. Two teams reaching out to Saleh for head coach interviews just three years into his tenure as a defensive coordinator is a strong indicator of what’s to come for Saleh should the 49ers’ defense continue to thrive under his guidance.
