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.