New York Jets hiring Robert Saleh, a popular candidate in Detroit, as next head coach

ALLEN PARK — Robert Saleh, a popular candidate for Detroit’s vacant job, has agreed to become the next head coach of the New York Jets.

The team announced the agreement with the 49ers defensive coordinator late Thursday night. Saleh was an early favorite in Detroit thanks to his performance and regional ties. But he seemed to fall behind with Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith becoming the first coaching candidate to book a second interview.

Saleh emerged as the clear-cut public favorite for the job, attending high school 3.3 miles from the team’s practice facility and coming with glowing reviews from star cornerback Richard Sherman. A bipartisan group of state lawmakers even took time during a pandemic and penned an open letter pitching Saleh to Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp. He’s a Dearborn native, attended Northern Michigan University, and coached at Michigan State and Central Michigan universities to boot.

Related: Arthur Smith becomes first head coaching candidate to earn second interview | Darrell Bevell says interview for head coaching job went ‘really well’

Those regional ties to Michigan helped his public allure, no doubt, but Saleh’s work spoke for itself. San Francisco’s defense went from one of the worst to one of the most consistent units around under his leadership. The 49ers were decimated by injuries this season but still managed to hold it together by finishing fifth in yards allowed.

Saleh interviewed for the job in Detroit this time last week, with no rumblings of a potential second interview since. Reports even indicated it was starting to look like it could be the New York job or bust for the coach.

Saleh’s move to New York comes with the Lions reportedly set to interview Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles on Friday. Smith is also scheduled for his second interview to end the week, according to the NFL Network. The Lions have previously interviewed Saints assistant head coach Dan Campbell, ex-Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and Lions interim coach Darrell Bevell for the job.

It’s also worth noting that Detroit hired Brad Holmes as general manager on Thursday. Holmes, 41, spent the previous eight years leading the Los Angeles Rams’ college scouting department. The Lions interviewed 12 general manager candidates before landing on Holmes, engaging in a wide-ranging search since the end of the season.

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