Pete Carroll 2.0? The Jets Hire Robert Saleh as Head Coach

Robert Saleh. Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing/USA Today Sports.

Last night, the New York Jets hired former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as their head coach. Robert was one of the coveted coaching candidates out there in what is an early off-season for most teams. Out of the 11 candidates that were interviewed, including Eric Bieniemy, the guy I was pushing for, Robert and current Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith were the only two that received second interviews, which actually worked to their advantage because guys such as Bieniemy wouldn't have been available for second interviews until after their postseason is finished, meaning the Jets would have to wait longer to speak to him again.

As I've just alluded to, I was hoping they hired Bieniemy, just like I was hoping for two years ago, but unlike the guy they hired two years ago (Adam Gase), I actually like this hire. I just tolerated the Gase hire and hoped that it worked out. Obviously, that wasn't the case. After all, he's known as a "brilliant offensive mind" and "quarterback guru," which he failed to help develop Sam Darnold. To be fair, part of that was on Darnold as well.

I remember watching them on TV earlier this season--I think it was against the Patriots--and recall saying something along the lines of Robert having strong head coaching credentials/potential. While he transformed the 49ers defense into a top 10 unit the last two seasons, it was this year specifically that led me to that conclusion.

He managed to keep the defensive unit in tact (4th against the pass; 7th against the run, and 5th for total yards allowed) despite losing key players such as DeForest Buckner being traded to the Indianapolis Colts at the beginning of last off-season, losing the keyboard warrior Nick Bosa to a torn ACL, Richard Sherman missed time to due injuries among others who were in and out of the lineup due to injuries, and Kwon Alexander was traded to the New Orleans Saints around mid-season.

To me, that speaks volumes as a coach and it says a lot about him. He could've easily made excuses, but he went with the next man up and made it work. He has drawn comparisons to Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, whom he worked with in Seattle for three seasons, including a Super Bowl championship in 2013-14. From my understanding, they're similar in scheme/system (they both use the Cover 3) and personality, being an upbeat, motivational type of guy. He's known as a teacher who's firm but fair, and he has the respect of his players, which all goes a long way.

This fire and energy is part of what landed him the job. Photo: Randy Vazquez/Bay Area News Group.

He was heavily endorsed by the likes of 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, Richard Sherman, and Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams put in a word for him in his own way, which is what mainly convinced me that he would probably be the Jets next head coach.

To me, being compared to Pete Carroll is a heck of a comparison because I've said for a long time that I like the way he runs the ship in Seattle, and I hope Saleh can duplicate that "Win Forever" type of success, and eventually better.

Jamal Adams Was Right

Adam Gase. Photo Credit: Bill Kostroun.

Actually, I came to this conclusion back in Week 4 of the season when the Jets lost to the Denver Broncos with a third-string quarterback (Brett Rypien) who they just activated off the practice squad earlier that week. What was Jamal Adams right about, you ask? Well, back in July, the Jets traded the disgruntled safety--who is now playing for the Seattle Seahawks, I'm sure he's glad--for a few reasons, but his comments on Adam Gase not being the right coach to get the team to the promised land in an interview with the New York Daily News is what took the cake.

As it turned out, he was absolutely correct. In two seasons with the Jets, Adam Gase went 9-23, this year being particularly abysmal, finishing 2-14, which lead to his firing not long after their loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday. To be honest, when the head coach position became available in 2018, Eric Bieniemy, offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, was the guy I was hoping they would've given a shot, but no, they listened to Peyton Manning and allowed him to convince them to hire Gase. I know Petyon has a name. I get it, but gee, not only was that a miss, that was a straight-up air ball.

Now, there's another opportunity for them to land Bieniemy, and hopefully, they get him this time around. Well, he's first on my list--he was in 2018, and he still is today. I like Bieniemy's hand in the development of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who, to me, is the best quarterback if not the best player in the league. Of course, their head coach Andy Reid, a known quarterback guru, had a lot to do with it, but Bieniemy was also instrumental in the process. He has the respect of his players, which goes a long way to making it as a head coach. I'm not saying that hiring him is going to guarantee instant success, but I like the upside in this coaching prospect, so I'm hoping they at least give him a try.

 I can't speak for all Jets fans, but I gave this Gase experiment a shot. I was more than patient, but it didn't take long for me to realize that Jamal Adams was absolutely right about him--as far as his tenure in New York goes. Perhaps he goes somewhere else and eventually land a head coaching gig again, you never know, but I'm glad this nightmare here is over. I'm sure Jamal is somewhere in Seattle while he's prepping for his play-off debut against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, smiling--or laughing his can off.