The San Francisco 49ers welcomed back a familiar face, re-hiring Robert Saleh as their defensive coordinator. However, one former player who once thrived under Saleh’s leadership will have to watch from across the country as the reunion unfolds.

Robert Saleh, who ran the Niners' defense from 2017 to 2020, is heading back to San Francisco for the same role after a three-plus-year stint as Jets coach.

A day after The Athletic reported that the San Francisco 49ers were about to stage a reunion with Robert Saleh, the club announced Friday that the former New York Jets head coach is returning to his old job as defensive coordinator.

Robert Saleh didn’t get the job he wanted, but the job he accepted could lead to a gig he desires next year. Saleh rejoined the San Francisco 49ers as their defensive coordinator Friday and the announcement was made shortly after the last of the three head-coaching openings for which he was a candidate was filled.